Vance has been central to discussions about Iran, White House says
JD Vance has been part of national security discussions related to Iran throughout the entirety of the Trump administration, White House press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said on Wednesday.
“The vice president has been by the president’s side every step of the way, and any reporting otherwise is just completely false,” Ms Leavitt told reporters.
Bryony Gooch25 March 2026 18:20
Press briefing with Karoline Leavitt finishes. Here are the key points:
As a media briefing with White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt finishes, here are some of the key points she made:
- She said that the US was decimating Iran, echoeing statements already made by the likes of President Trump and defense secretary Pete Hegseth.
- Trump will “unleash hell” on Iran if they are unwilling to negotiate, she added, but she would not confirm exactly who the US was negotiating with in the regime.
- She challenged alleged “misinformation” in the media, especially around news of a US 15 point plan to end the war, which was rejected by the Tehran regime, according to Iranian state media.
Bryony Gooch25 March 2026 18:14
Leavitt: Trump will give diplomats ‘freedom’ to negotiate without litigation through the media
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt refused to give further details about who the US was directly negotiating with in the Iranian regime, amid statements from top Tehran officials that no negotiations were ongoing.
Instead, she said: “President Trump is going to give his diplomats the freedom that they need to have these sensitive diplomatic discussions without negotiating and litigating them through the news media.”
Bryony Gooch25 March 2026 18:05
Mike Johnson defends Trump sending 2,000 troops to Middle East as message that Iran needs to ‘get their act together’
Bryony Gooch25 March 2026 18:00
Leavitt refuses to confirm 15 point plan allegedly rejected by Iran
Responding to questions about a 15 point plan to end the war allegedly rejected by the US, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt has said they never confirmed the 15 point plan.
She said: “Talks continue. They are productive, as the President said on Monday, and they continue to be.
However, I saw a 15 point plan that was floated in the media. I would caution reporters in this room from reporting about speculative points or speculative plans from anonymous sources, the White House never confirmed that full plan.
“There are elements of truth to it, but some of the stories I read were not entirely factual.
“So I am not going to negotiate on behalf of the President here at the podium. What I will tell you is these talks are ongoing.
“We’re not going to get into the nitty gritty details that have been exchanged between the United States and Iran at this time.”
Bryony Gooch25 March 2026 17:59
Leavitt: Trump will ‘unleash hell’ on Iran if they don’t negotiate
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt has said President Trump will “unleash hell” on Iran if they are unwilling to talk.
She said: “President Trump is willing to listen. As President Trump announced on Monday, the United States has been engaged over the last three days in productive conversations which led the President to temporarily instruct the Department of War to postpone planned strikes against Iranian power plants and energy infrastructure.
She said that Iran would have to abandon nuclear ambitions and “ cease actively threatening America” and allies.
“The President’s preference is always peace,” she added. “There does not need to be any more death and destruction. But if Iran fails to accept the reality of the current moment, if they fail to understand that they have been defeated militarily and will continue to be President Trump will ensure they are hit harder than they have ever been hit before.
“President Trump does not bluff and he is prepared to unleash hell. Iran should not miscalculate again. Their last miscalculation cost them their senior leadership, their navy, their air force and their air defense system.
“Any violence beyond this point will be because the Iranian regime refused to understand they have already been defeated and refused to come to a deal here.”
Bryony Gooch25 March 2026 17:52
Leavitt: US close to meeting objectives of Operation Epic Fury on time
Press secretary Karoline Leavitt has claimed that the US military is close to meeting the core objectives of Operation Epic Fury, in line with the estimation it would take four to six weeks to achieve.
She says: “For all of these reasons, we are very close to meeting the core objectives of Operation Epic Fury and this military mission continues unabated.
“From the outset, President Trump and the Department of War estimated it would take approximately four to six weeks to achieve this critical mission.
“25 days in, the greatest military the world has ever known is ahead of schedule and performing exceptionally day by day, the Iranian regime is being crippled, and their ability to threaten the United States and our allies is being significantly weakened.
“Their ambitions of building a nuclear weapon have also been crushed to an even greater degree than they were in Operation Midnight Hammer in June 2025.”
Bryony Gooch25 March 2026 17:48
Leavitt: US military continues to ‘decimate’ Iran forces
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said that the US military continues to “decimate” Iran’s “offensive and defensive capabilities” three weeks into the war.
She says: “It’s abundantly clear that operation epic fury has been a resounding military triumph.
“More than 9,000 enemy targets have been struck to date compared to the start of the operation, Iran’s ballistic missile attacks and drone attacks are down by roughly 90 per cent.
The United States is also annihilating the Iranian regime’s navy. We have destroyed more than 140 of their naval vessels, including almost 50 mine layers. This is the largest elimination of a navy over a three week period since World War Two.”
The Independent has not been able to independently verify Ms Leavitt’s statements.
Bryony Gooch25 March 2026 17:46
Trump trip to China announced after delays due to Iran War
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt has announced the long-awaited date President Donald Trump will go to China.
It is believed the visit was delayed after President Trump’s concentration changed to Iran at the end of February.
Ms Leavitt said: “Also, I’m pleased to announce that President Trump’s meeting and long awaited meeting with President Xi in China will now take place in Beijing on May 14 and 15th.
“First Lady Melania and President Trump will also host President Xi and Madame pain for a reciprocal visit in Washington, DC at a later date to be announced this year.”
Bryony Gooch25 March 2026 17:44
Press briefing with Karoline Leavitt
We’re waiting on White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt to begin a conference as thousands of US troops head to Iran.
We’ll bring you the latest lines.
Bryony Gooch25 March 2026 17:38
