US-Iran war Highlights: Karoline Leavitt calls reports of 3–5 day deadline for Iran talks ‘not true’

The White House rejected the idea that Trump’s Truth Social posts negatively impacted negotiations.

Leavitt gave a direct “short answer” of no when asked if the posts affected talks.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt in if the White House has an understanding of who inside Iran has a final say in the negotiations, says, "The White House and our intelligence community certainly have a good understanding. However, we want to see a unified response and a unified proposal. You see a lot of different messaging on social media from many people within the regime, and a lot of that public nonsense is not what we hear from them privately. But again, we want a unified response, and that's what the President is awaiting..."

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt on Trump's response to the Iranian state media's statements on the ceasefire, says, "The response is, you guys all see a lot of different messaging coming out of Iran. I would caution you to take anything that they say at face value. What we have seen is that what they say publicly is much different from what they concede to the United States and our negotiating team privately."

The White House says it will not announce any fixed timetable for President Trump’s Iran strategy.

Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt rejected reports claiming a “3 to 5-day deadline” as incorrect and anonymously sourced.

She confirmed that President Trump has not set any deadline for Iran-related developments.

The decision on timing and next steps will be fully determined by the US President.

The White House says Trump is “satisfied” with the ongoing naval blockade in the Strait of Hormuz.

The White House says US negotiators have already met Iranian representatives in person, confirming direct engagement in talks.

Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt says there is “internal faction and internal division” within Iran’s political system.

The US claims Iran’s leadership structure has faced long-term instability and weakening over decades.

Washington says it is offering Iran “some flexibility” to encourage a unified negotiating proposal.

President Trump has reportedly set clear “red lines” for any potential agreement with Iran.

The White House says the US maintains “control and leverage” over the situation and Iranian regime.

White House says Iran is currently divided between “pragmatists and hardliners,” according to Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt.

Leavitt says US President Donald Trump is seeking a “unified response” from Iran amid ongoing tensions.

Military ceasefire remains in place, with no ongoing kinetic strikes, the White House confirmed.

However, “Operation Economic Fury” continues as part of sustained economic and maritime pressure on Iran.

The US says its naval blockade is “effective and successful” and continues to restrict movement of vessels to and from Iranian ports.

Washington claims shipping enforcement operations are still active across key maritime routes.

The President has not set a fixed deadline for Iran to submit a proposal, according to Leavitt.

The timeline for next steps will be determined by the US President as Commander-in-Chief.

CENTCOM also pushed back against media reports suggesting that several commercial ships had successfully evaded the blockade.

Over the past 24 hours, reports had cited vessels including M/V Hero II, M/V Hedy, and M/V Dorena as examples of ships allegedly bypassing restrictions. CENTCOM dismissed these claims as “inaccurate.”

U.S. Central Command posted on X: "U.S. forces have directed 29 vessels to turn around or return to port as part of the U.S. blockade against Iran.

Iran president Masoud Pezeshkian wrote on X: "The Islamic Republic of Iran has always welcomed and continues to welcome dialogue and agreement. Bad faith, siege, and threats are the main obstacles to genuine negotiation. The world is witnessing your hypocritical empty talk and the contradiction between your claims and your actions."

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday said Iran respected his request to free the women whose release he demanded.

Trump noted that he has been informed that four of the women will be "released immediately," while four others will be sentenced to one month each in prison.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Wednesday said that the US' breach of commitments and its blockade of Iranian ports and threats are the main obstacles to "genuine negotiations."

He added, “[The] world sees your endless hypocritical rhetoric and contradiction between claims and actions.”

Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian on Wednesday said the Islamic Republic of Iran has welcomed dialogue and agreement and continues to do so

Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf, Iran's parliamentary speaker, wrote on X: "A complete ceasefire only makes sense if it is not violated by the maritime blockade and the hostage-taking of the world’s economy, and if the Zionist warmongering across all fronts is halted; reopening the Strait of Hormuz is impossible with such a flagrant breach of the ceasefire. They did not achieve their goals through military aggression, nor will they through bullying. The only way forward is to recognize the rights of the Iranian nation."

Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said its forces are at the “peak of readiness” to continue fighting enemies.

The statement warned of battlefield “surprises beyond the enemy’s comprehension.”

IRGC marked the anniversary of its establishment with the announcement.

It said it is prepared to respond “decisively and immediately” to any threat or aggression.

The force warned of “crushing blows” in any new round of conflict.

IRGC said it would target remaining enemy assets in the region if hostilities escalate. (Iranian state television.)

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said the US-Israeli war was “imposed” on Iran.

He stated Iran’s actions are in line with its “right to legitimate defense” against military aggression.

On skipping talks in Islamabad, he said diplomacy will be used only when conditions serve national interests.

Baghaei stressed diplomacy is a tool to secure Iran’s security and interests.

He said Iran will pursue accountability against “aggressors” and seek justice for alleged war crimes.

Iran will also demand compensation from those responsible, he added.

Trump wrote on Truth Social: "Iran is collapsing financially! They want the Strait of Hormuz opened immediately- Starving for cash! Losing 500 Million Dollars a day. Military and Police complaining that they are not getting paid. SOS!!!"

US President Donald Trump said a new round of peace talks within the next 36 to 72 hours is “possible.”

The comments came in a text exchange with New York Post.

Trump responded, “It’s possible! President DJT,” when asked about the timing of the talks.

Liberian-registered container ship Epaminondas was fired upon by a manned gunboat in the Strait of Hormuz.

The incident occurred about 20 nautical miles off the coast of Oman early Wednesday.

Ship manager Technomar said all crew are safe and accounted for, with no injuries reported.

Preliminary checks indicate damage to the vessel’s bridge.

The company is coordinating with authorities and investigating the incident. (AP)

US Department of State Consular Affairs said Iran’s airspace has partially reopened as of April 21.

It has urged citizens to leave Iran immediately and monitor local media and airlines for updates.

Americans may exit by land via Armenia, Azerbaijan, Türkiye, or Turkmenistan.

US citizens are advised not to travel to Afghanistan, Iraq, or the Pakistan-Iran border area.

Authorities warned Iran may restrict departures or impose an “exit fee” on US citizens.

US-Iranian dual nationals must leave Iran using Iranian passports, it said.

Iran’s foreign ministry spokesperson, Esmaeil Baqaei, accused the United States of lacking good faith in negotiations, according to Iran State TV.

He said Iran entered the talks “in good faith and with seriousness.”

A second round of talks, expected in Islamabad, has not yet been confirmed.

Iran has not yet decided whether it will participate in the next round of negotiations later this week.

Trump has extended the ceasefire with Iran indefinitely.