Washington: The United States and Iran continue "productive" negotiations aimed at ending their conflict, the White House announced on Wednesday. The statement comes despite Iran's reported rejection of a 15-point U.S. peace proposal, with the Trump administration seeking to mitigate the economic impact of the ongoing war.
According to Yonhap News Agency, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt emphasized the ongoing nature of the discussions, stating that President Donald Trump is keen on finding an off-ramp from the conflict. She refrained from providing details about the parties involved, citing the sensitivity of the diplomatic discussions. When questioned about the potential for talks to collapse, Leavitt assured reporters that negotiations have not reached a dead end.
Iran has reportedly dismissed the U.S. proposal, insisting that any resolution must align with Tehran's terms and timeline. This stance was highlighted by Iran's semi-official Mehr News Agency, which referenced a Press TV interview with a senior Iranian official. Leavitt cautioned against drawing conclusions from speculative media reports about the peace plan, which allegedly addresses issues such as Iran's nuclear and missile programs.
Leavitt reiterated that the White House has not confirmed the entire peace plan, adding that while some elements are accurate, others are not entirely factual. She stressed the importance of ongoing dialogue and warned Iran against defiance, indicating severe repercussions if it fails to recognize its military defeat.
President Trump, according to Leavitt, is prepared to intensify actions against Iran if necessary, stating that any further violence would be a result of Iran's refusal to acknowledge its defeat and engage in constructive negotiations. The U.S. continues its airstrike campaign, "Operation Epic Fury," which is reportedly ahead of schedule, with the military close to achieving its core objectives.
Despite the ongoing negotiations, a Pentagon official confirmed that additional troops are being deployed to the Middle East to support operations against Iran. The deployment includes elements of the 82nd Airborne Division, division enablers, and the 1st Brigade Combat Team, all heading to the Central Command area of responsibility.
CENTCOM Commander Adm. Brad Cooper provided an update on the military operation, revealing that over 10,000 Iranian military targets have been struck since the war's onset in late February. He noted significant progress in diminishing Iran's capacity to project power beyond its borders, effectively crippling its naval capabilities.
Adm. Cooper's assessment highlights a significant reduction in Iran's naval power, with 92 percent of its largest vessels destroyed, effectively ending its historical threat to regional and global shipping.