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Leavitt insists Americans ignore Trump's words on Iran and focus on the ...
A day after President Donald Trump issued a chilling warning against Iran which many took to indicate he might commit genocide against that country’s population, the White House says Americans should ignore his words and focus only on the shaky ceasefire deal that was reached after he made the extreme threats.Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt on Wednesday aggressively rejected multiple attempts by reporters from outlets, including The Independent, to elicit an explanation as to why Trump’s rhetoric was appropriate for an American leader and whether his threat that Iran’s “whole civilization” would “die” if Tehran failed to capitulate to his demands by Tuesday evening risked eroding America’s standing as a beacon for the rest of the free world.When pressed by one reporter on the appropriateness of Trump’s threat and a prior social media post in which he mocked Iran’s Muslim clerical leaders by writing “praise be to Allah” as he threatened attacks on the country’s infrastructure a day earlier, Leavitt told reporters Trump was focused on “results” and claimed his “tough rhetoric” and “tough negotiating style” led to the ceasefire deal announced just hours before the deadline. Asked whether the world should take his words “seriously,” Leavitt said it should.But she also added the caveat that Trump “is always most interested in results” and that his words and actions are on behalf of the United States’ interest over all others.Karoline Leavitt dismissed concerns that Trump’s threat to destroy Iran’s ‘civilization’ risked America’s moral standing (AP)“He said that they would face very grave consequences ...if they did not agree to reopening the Strait of Hormuz. And what did they do last night? They agreed to reopen the Strait of Hormuz,” Leavitt said in a response that emphasized that the ends justify the means. ‘Why is it appropriate for the president of the United States to use that kind of language when talking about civilian targets? And was the president mocking Islam by signing off his post over the weekend ‘Praise be to Allah?’ Wouldn't that antagonize Muslim allies across the world?” a reporter asked."Well, I understand the questions about the president's rhetoric, but what the president cares most about is results, and in fact, his very tough rhetoric and his tough negotiating style is what has led to the result that you are all witnessing today. Iran publicly acknowledging last night that they have agreed or that they wanted this ceasefire with the Uni...
Leavitt says Trump's threat to destroy Iran was not a bluff after ...
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said that President Donald Trump’s threat to destroy Iranian civilization was not a bluff during Wednesday's press briefing.A two-week ceasefire agreement was reached between the Iranian government and the United States and its allies on Tuesday, just before the 8 p.m. deadline Trump previously set in a Truth Social post."It was a very, very strong threat from the president of the United States that led to the Iranian regime to cave to their knees and ask for a ceasefire and agree to re-opening the Strait of Hormuz," Leavitt said. "So it was a very strong threat that led to results. As the Secretary of War stated at the Pentagon this morning, it was not an empty threat by any means."TRUMP'S THREAT TO END IRANIAN 'CIVILIZATION' SPARKS UPROAR ON CAPITOL HILL Many critics of President Donald Trump have suggested he chickened out for not committing what they initially insisted was a "genocide" of the Iranian people. (Nathan Howard/Getty Images)Leavitt said that the Department of War had a targeted list ready to go if Iran did not meet Trump’s deadline to open the Strait of Hormuz.Trump first threatened Iran on Easter Sunday in a Truth Social post. He claimed that the Iranians would be "living in Hell," if the Strait of Hormuz was not opened.On Tuesday, Trump posted that "a whole civilization will die tonight, never to be brought back again.""I don’t want that to happen, but it probably will," Trump wrote.TRUMP AGREES TO 2-WEEK CEASEFIRE IF IRAN OPENS STRAIT OF HORMUZ Pope Leo XIV gestures while walking to speak to the media on the U.S.–Israeli conflict with Iran, as he leaves the papal residence to head back to the Vatican, in Castel Gandolfo, Italy, April 7, 2026. (Reuters)A reporter asked Leavitt if the United States could be seen as a "moral leader" in the world given that Trump threatened the eradication of an entire nation."The insinuation by anyone in this room that Iran somehow has the moral high ground is insulting considering the atrocities that they have committed against our people and our military over the past five decades," Leavitt said. Iranians react after a ceasefire announcement at the Enqelab square, in Tehran, on April 8, 2026. The United States and Iran agreed to a two-week ceasefire Tuesday barely an hour before U.S. President Donald Trump's deadline to obliterate the rival country was set to expire, with Tehran to temporarily reopen the vital Strait ...
Live Updates: Iran accuses U.S. of violating ceasefire deal framework ...
Iran says Israel is violating the ceasefire deal President Trump announced, and Tehran appears to still have control over shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
White House says Iran 'backed down' to Trump in agreeing to ceasefire
White House says Iran 'backed down' to Trump in agreeing to ceasefire Karoline Leavitt said the admin is working with a "new, modified" Iranian offer.
