White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt denounced as “false” reports that Iran shut down the Strait of Hormuz less than 24 hours after the United States and Iran had agreed to a two-week ceasefire deal.
Iran reportedly closed the Strait of Hormuz in response to Israel’s continued attacks on Hezbollah in Lebanon, according to Iranian state media reports on Wednesday. Yet Leavitt appeared to suggest that Iran is merely posturing publicly.
“With respect to the first reporting out of Iranian state media, the president was made aware of those reports before I came to the podium,” she said during a Wednesday press briefing. “That is completely unacceptable. And again, this is a case of what they’re saying publicly is different.
“Privately, we have seen an uptick of traffic in the Strait today, and I will reiterate the president’s expectation and demand that the Strait of Hormuz is reopened immediately, quickly, and safely,” Leavitt said. “That is his expectation. It has been relayed to him privately that that is what’s taking place in these reports, publicly, are false.”
The press secretary also confirmed that Lebanon is not part of the deal that was announced Tuesday evening before Trump’s 8 p.m. EDT deadline.
“Lebanon is not part of the ceasefire,” she said. “That has been related to all parties involved in the ceasefire. As you know, Prime Minister (Benjamin) Netanyahu put out a statement last night in support of the ceasefire, in support of the United States’ efforts and he’s also assured the president he’ll continue to be a helpful partner throughout the course of the next two weeks.”
US AND IRAN AGREE TO TWO-WEEK CEASEFIRE AFTER TRUMP ACCEPTS ‘WORKABLE’ 10-POINT PLAN
Iran reportedly indicated its participation in peace deal talks in Islamabad on Friday is conditional upon a ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon.
Leavitt said that Lebanon “will continue to be discussed” between Israel and the U.S. She also confirmed that Vice President JD Vance, special envoy Steve Witkoff, and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner will attend the peace deal talks on Friday.
