Washington: The United States and Iran are engaged in "productive" discussions aimed at ending their ongoing conflict, the White House announced, notwithstanding Iran's reported rejection of a proposed 15-point U.S. peace plan. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt made this statement during a press briefing, emphasizing that Iran would face heightened consequences if it does not acknowledge its military defeat. According to Yonhap News Agency, Leavitt's remarks follow Iran's negative response to the U.S. proposal, insisting that any resolution to the conflict must align with Tehran's terms and timeline. Iran's stance was articulated through its semi-official Mehr News Agency, referencing an interview on Press TV with a senior Iranian official. Leavitt addressed media reports surrounding the U.S. peace plan, urging caution against speculative narratives. Reports have suggested that the proposal includes U.S. demands related to Iran's nuclear and missile programs, along with its uranium reserves. She clarified that while some elements of truth exist, not all details reported were accurate. Leavitt emphasized that the discussions are ongoing and refrained from delving into specific details exchanged between the U.S. and Iran. Leavitt issued a strong warning to Iran, stressing that further defiance could result in severe repercussions. She highlighted President Trump's resolve, asserting that he "does not bluff" and is prepared to escalate actions if necessary. Leavitt outlined the consequences of past Iranian miscalculations, which resulted in significant losses for the country, including senior leadership and military capabilities. Furthermore, Leavitt reiterated that the U.S. airstrike campaign, "Operation Epic Fury," is progressing ahead of schedule. She noted that the U.S. military is close to achieving the core objectives set by the operation, which was projected to take four to six weeks. Currently, 25 days into the campaign, the operation is reportedly performing exceptionally well. Despite ongoi ng negotiations, the Pentagon confirmed plans to deploy additional troops to the Middle East to support operations against Iran. A Pentagon official disclosed that elements of the 82nd Airborne Division, along with other units, will be deployed to the Central Command area of responsibility, though further details were withheld due to operational security concerns.