White House Stresses Diplomacy
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Tuesday that President Donald Trump prefers diplomacy when dealing with Iran. However, she made clear that military action remains on the table if talks fail.
According to Leavitt, Trump’s first choice is always a negotiated solution. Still, she said he will authorize the use of U.S. military force if he believes it becomes necessary. She added that the president alone makes the final call on any action.
Trump Warns Iran About Nuclear Deal
The comments followed Trump’s message on Truth Social, where he warned that it would be a “very bad day” for Iran if a nuclear agreement is not reached.
Last week, Trump told reporters he is considering a limited strike aimed at pressuring Iranian leaders to return to negotiations over their nuclear program. Even so, he repeated that he would rather secure a deal than escalate tensions.
Leavitt also pushed back against what she described as exaggerated media coverage. She criticized anonymous sources who claim to know the president’s thinking. In her view, such speculation misrepresents the situation.
U.S. Military Presence Expands in Region
Meanwhile, the United States has strengthened its military posture in the Middle East. The aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford and its strike group are heading toward the region.
In addition, the USS Abraham Lincoln and three guided missile destroyers are already deployed nearby.
These moves signal that while diplomacy is the stated priority, Washington is preparing for multiple scenarios.
President Emphasizes Final Authority
In his social media post, Trump insisted that reports about a possible war with Iran are inaccurate. He said he personally will decide the next step.
Although he expressed sympathy for the Iranian people, he warned that failure to reach a deal would bring serious consequences. For now, the administration continues to balance diplomatic outreach with visible military readiness.
