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White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt speaks during a press briefing at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., Wednesday. Credit: Evan Vucci/Reuters
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt speaks during a press briefing at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., Wednesday. Credit: Evan Vucci/Reuters
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said on Wednesday the United States is “very close to meeting the core objectives” of the war with Iran.
“The Iranian regime is being crippled, and their ability to threaten the United States and our allies is being significantly weakened,” Leavitt said in a press conference.
Leavitt also said the U.S. was “ahead of schedule” on what she said Trump and the Department of War had estimated would take four to six weeks to achieve in Iran.
“Talks continue and are productive,” the press secretary said about ongoing negotiations to end the war. “I saw a 15-point plan that was floated in the media,” she said, referring to a recent U.S. proposal sent to Iran. “There are elements of truth to the plan, but some of the reports are not factual.”
Leavitt declined to confirm whether face-to-face talks are set to take place in Pakistan.
In response to a question on whether Israel will follow an American deal, Leavitt said that U.S. President Donald Trump has shown “a very unique skill at getting our allies to get on board with what’s in the best interest of the United States but also the world.”
On the possibility of American airborne troops being sent to the region, the press secretary said: “The president likes to maintain options at his disposal.”
Speaking about Israel’s war with Hezbollah, Leavitt said Trump is concerned about reports that more than a million people have been displaced in Lebanon due to the conflict. “That’s why he is quickly moving to eliminate the threat of the Iranian regime in the Middle East, including weakening their proxies like Hezbollah.”
On the question of who will lead Iran after the war, Leavitt said: “The United States wants to have someone in leadership position in the Iranian regime that will be much more favorable, much more willing to work with the United States, that will no longer chant ‘death to America.'”
Asked about regime change, Leavitt said: “Would you not say there has been a change in the regime?”