White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt announced during a press briefing on Thursday, July 16, 2026, that the US President remains open to diplomacy with Iran.
She confirmed that, despite the resumption of military clashes between the two nations, contacts and discussions are still ongoing. According to Leavitt, “The Iranians have indicated that they still want to reach an agreement with the President. We are in contact with them.”
At the same time, she confirmed that Donald Trump would hold Iran accountable if it launched attacks against shipping vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. These remarks came one day after Trump expressed his appreciation to Iran for releasing an American citizen who had been detained since December 2024.
Regarding the strike on the Minab school, the White House spokesperson stated that the investigation into the targeting of the facility remains underway.
