The BRICS TimesWhite House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt says President Trump’s demands from Iran are non-negotiable; no nuclear weapon and full handover of enriched uranium. Meanwhile, Iran’s seizure of ships in the Strait of Hormuz is being called outright piracy.
Trump’s Red Lines on Iran Are Loud and Clear
The White House has sent an unambiguous message to Tehran. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that President Donald Trump has spelled out his bottom lines in ongoing talks with Iran. The core demands are simple and firm: Iran must never develop a nuclear bomb. Iran must also surrender all enriched uranium currently in its possession.
Leavitt drove the point home while speaking on Fox News. She stressed that humanitarian matters, though important to the president, are not on the nuclear negotiating table. “Humanitarian issues are of a great concern to this president, but with respect to the negotiations that are ongoing, he has made his red lines very clear: Iran can never obtain a nuclear bomb to threaten the United States and our allies, and they must turn over the enriched uranium that’s in their possession,” Leavitt said.
Operation Midnight Hammer Changed Everything
Leavitt also referred to the US military strikes that targeted Iranian nuclear facilities. She noted that Iran’s nuclear programme took a devastating blow from those attacks. “While it is very far into the ground thanks to the success of Operation Midnight Hammer, it’s important to the president that they hand that enriched uranium over,” she added.
The US military operation, known as Operation Midnight Hammer, struck Iran’s nuclear sites in June 2025. Washington wants no loose ends even a weakened programme must be dismantled and the uranium handed over completely.
Iran’s Ship Seizures Called Piracy, Not a Ceasefire Breach
Fresh tensions emerged when Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps seized two international cargo ships near the Strait of Hormuz. The IRGC claimed the vessels were operating without proper authorization and manipulating navigation systems. Washington pushed back hard.
Leavitt made it clear that Trump does not consider the incident a ceasefire violation. Her reason: the ships were not American or Israeli. “These were not US ships. These were not Israeli ships. These were two international vessels,” Leavitt told Fox News. She then went on to describe Iran’s behaviour in sharp terms. “These two ships were taken by speedy gunboats. Iran has gone from having the most lethal navy in the Middle East to now acting like a bunch of pirates. They don’t have control over the strait. This is piracy that we are seeing on display, and the naval blockade that the United States has imposed continues to be incredibly effective,” she said.
Media Accused of Blowing the Story Out of Proportion
Leavitt also took aim at mainstream news outlets. She accused them of sensationalising the ship seizure story. She argued that exaggerated coverage was being used to undermine Trump’s achievements against Iran. “For the American media, who is sort of blowing this out of proportion to discredit the president’s facts that he has completely obliterated Iran’s conventional Navy,” Leavitt said.
She pushed back against the framing that Iran still holds real power at sea. In her words, Iran no longer commands the powerful naval force it once had in the region.
Economic Stranglehold on Iran Continues
Leavitt made it clear that the military pause in Operation Epic Fury does not mean the pressure on Iran has eased. She confirmed that “Operation Economic Fury” remains fully active. The US naval blockade around Iranian ports is having a devastating impact on Tehran’s economy. According to Leavitt, the blockade is costing Iran around $500 million every single day. She also said Kharg Island Iran’s main oil export hub is completely full, with no fuel moving in or out.
The economic squeeze, she said, is doing exactly what it was designed to do. “The naval blockade that the United States has imposed continues to be incredibly effective,” and it is “choking their economy,” Leavitt stated.
No Deadline Set, Talks at a Standstill
As negotiations continue to stall, Trump himself acknowledged there is no fixed timeline. Speaking to Fox News anchor Martha MacCallum, he said there is “no time pressure” on the ceasefire or on fresh peace talks. Leavitt echoed that, confirming that Trump “has not set a deadline himself” for Iran to send a peace proposal.
Trump said he wants “a unified response and a unified proposal” from Tehran. The administration, Leavitt noted, has “a good understanding” of who the ultimate decision-maker is in Iran even as the country’s leadership appears fractured.
Iran, for its part, has blamed US actions for blocking genuine dialogue. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian accused Washington of hypocrisy, saying the blockade and threats are the real obstacles to meaningful negotiations.
