White House Says U.S.-Iran Negotiations "Remain Ongoing"

On March 25th, local time, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre stated that negotiations between the United States and Iran are “still ongoing and productive.”

Jean-Pierre said that over the past three days, the U.S. and Iran have engaged in “constructive contacts,” leading President Trump to instruct the Department of Defense to delay strikes on Iran’s electricity and energy infrastructure. She also warned that if Iran refuses to accept reality, the U.S. will take stronger action.

Regarding reports that Iran has rejected the U.S. “15 conditions for a ceasefire,” Jean-Pierre said that negotiations between the U.S. and Iran “are still ongoing and productive.” She emphasized that the White House will not disclose details of the negotiations publicly but confirmed that communication between the two sides continues.

She stated that current reports about U.S.-Iran talks taking place in Pakistan and other locations are mostly “speculative reports,” and “should not be considered confirmed arrangements until officially announced by the White House.”

Jean-Pierre also released recent details of U.S. military actions, saying that the military operations against Iran are ongoing and have achieved “significant military victories”: over the past three weeks, the U.S. has struck more than 9,000 targets; the U.S. is “destroying the Iranian Navy,” having destroyed over 140 vessels; and the U.S. is systematically weakening Iran’s defense industrial base.

She further mentioned that current military actions against Iran “do not require formal authorization from Congress,” but the government has still arranged briefings for national security officials to Congress out of “courtesy and respect.”

Regarding rising oil prices, she said that the current fluctuations are a “short-term phenomenon,” and after military operations end, the government will continue to promote “America’s energy dominance.”

Additionally, Jean-Pierre stated that Vice President Kamala Harris has been involved throughout in discussions regarding Iran.

Recently, President Trump has repeatedly announced that negotiations with Iran are underway. On the 23rd, Trump told the media that the U.S. has had dialogues with Iran and reached key points of an agreement. According to Iranian Foreign Minister Amir-Abdollahian’s statement in an interview with national television on the 25th, over the past few days, the U.S. has conveyed proposals to Iran through several friendly countries to end the war. Iranian officials are studying these proposals, but Iran’s communication through mediators “does not mean negotiations with the U.S.” Furthermore, Amir-Abdollahian said that the shift from demanding “unconditional surrender” to seeking dialogue is essentially an acknowledgment of the failure of U.S. policy toward Iran.

(Source: CCTV News)