WASHINGTON — White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt delivered a stark choice to the Iranian leadership during Wednesday’s press briefing: embrace the current diplomatic window or face the potential for a renewed military campaign. While noting that President Trump is actively consulting with his national security team and international allies, Leavitt was clear that the U.S. will not wait indefinitely for a resolution.
“The President has always been clear that with Iran or any other country, diplomacy is the first option,” Leavitt told reporters. “Iran would be wise to make a deal with President Trump.”
The “Midnight Hammer” Precedent
Leavitt pointed to the success of Operation Midnight Hammer, a strategic strike executed on June 22, 2025, which utilized B-2 Spirit bombers and “bunker-buster” munitions to severely degrade Iran’s nuclear enrichment capacity at Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan.
“There are arguments one can make for a strike against Iran. The President had a successful operation as commander-in-chief… which completely obliterated Iran’s nuclear facilities,” Leavitt noted, signaling that the administration views its past military action as a proven deterrent.
Geneva Negotiations: A “Little Bit of Progress”
The rhetoric comes just 24 hours after U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner concluded discussions with Iranian officials in Geneva. While Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi described a “new window of opportunity,” the White House remains cautious.
- The Timeline: Iran is expected to return with detailed proposals within the next two weeks to address gaps regarding uranium enrichment and missile programs.
- Israeli Coordination: Leavitt confirmed that U.S. forces are in “close communication” and active “conversation” with Israel regarding potential joint military contingencies should diplomacy fail.
Khamenei’s Defiant Response
The pressure from Washington was met with a sharp rebuttal from Tehran. Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei challenged President Trump’s claims of military superiority on social media, warning that the “strongest military force in the world” could be “struck so hard that it cannot get up again,” referencing Iran’s ability to target U.S. naval assets in the region.