U.S. and Iranian negotiators remain “very far apart” on Iran’s nuclear program, a White House official stated Wednesday, as President Donald Trump’s military buildup in the region fuels growing speculation about the .
The negotiators “made some slight progress” but are still “very far apart on certain issues,” White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters Wednesday, referring to the prior day’s meetings with Iranian officials in Geneva that included U.S. Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law. “I believe the Iranians are expected to return to us with more details in the coming weeks,” Leavitt said—a possible sign that strikes against Iran are not imminent.
In January, Trump threatened to attack the Islamic Republic of Iran after Iranian security forces killed tens of thousands of protesters (by some estimates) over the government’s handling of an economic crisis that has caused a currency collapse, skyrocketing inflation, and shortages of essential goods.
Over recent days, the Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group has been observed in the Persian Gulf moving into range to strike Iran. The Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group is also sailing toward the Middle East, following its deployment in the Caribbean Sea and Atlantic Ocean for Trump’s order of U.S. military support in capturing Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.
Last June, Trump authorized a coordinated bombing of Iranian nuclear facilities at Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan—America’s most significant military strike against Iran in decades.
Leavitt noted that Trump prefers negotiating with Iran over launching another strike or larger military operation. “The President has always been clear: when it comes to Iran or any country globally, diplomacy is his first choice, and Iran would be very wise to strike a deal with President Trump and his Administration,” Leavitt said.
When asked how long Trump would wait for Iran to accept his terms, Leavitt replied: “I will not set deadlines on behalf of the President of the United States.” She added that Trump has been closely coordinating with Israel on Iran, including during Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s White House visit earlier this month.
Asked if Trump would coordinate war plans with Israel for any potential strike on Iran, Leavitt further stated: “The U.S. government is always in close communication with Israel, starting right at the top with the President.”