Iran continues to communicate with the US and has expressed interest in reaching a nuclear agreement despite recent US military strikes, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt has said.
Asked whether negotiations with Tehran were at a standstill or had effectively ended, Leavitt said on Thursday President Donald Trump had told her that diplomatic contacts remain active.
"Well, I've spoken with the president about this as recently as an hour ago. Iran very much continues to talk to the United States of America and express that they want to make a deal with us because they are suffering devastating blows on behalf of our United States military," she said.
Leavitt said the reason for the recent US strikes over the last several days is "because Iran violated the memorandum of understanding that we struck with them."
"Specifically, in the memorandum of understanding that they signed, they were not to fire on commercial vessels moving through the Strait of Hormuz, and unfortunately, they have made the tragic decision for them to do that," she added.
Trump backs Vance remarks
President Trump believes foreign nations have sought to influence American public opinion, according to the White House.
The statement followed remarks by Vice President JD Vance that an Israeli-funded campaign sought to derail US-Iran negotiations.
"I think the president would certainly agree that yes, foreign countries certainly do try to persuade American public opinion. There's no doubt about that. I think it's just a basic fact," Leavitt told reporters.
Leavitt was asked about recent comments by Vance, who told podcast host Joe Rogan that a "foreign influence campaign" was being funded to "tank" efforts to secure an agreement between the US and Iran.
Vance said he was certain some Israeli officials were trying to steer Washington away from pursuing a deal to end the war with Iran. He added that others in the Israeli government, with whom he has good relations, were not involved.
US resumes blockade
Tensions between the US and Iran have recently escalated regarding the Strait of Hormuz, with the two sides exchanging attacks despite a Pakistan-mediated memorandum of understanding aimed at ending the conflict and reaching a lasting peace agreement.
The US announced on Tuesday that it resumed a naval blockade against vessels transiting to or from Iranian ports and coastal areas.
"There is a blockade of ships, directed by the president, for ships entering and departing Iranian ports only,” said Leavitt. “This blockade was reimposed due to Iran's inability to honour their agreement with the United States."
"The strait (of Hormuz) is open for ships that are not travelling to and from Iranian ports specifically, and the US Navy is there to ensure that can take place."
School strike probe
Leavitt declined to comment on a Sky News investigation that concluded the US was responsible for a bombing that struck a school in the Iranian city of Minab that killed more than 175 people, including children.
Asked about the investigation, which cited seven experts who sai concluded that "all evidence indicates" the US was responsible for the bombing, Leavitt said she could not address the findings.
"I can't speak to the Sky News investigation respectfully because I have not read it," she said.
"All I can speak to is what the president has said as I speak on his behalf, and the investigation continues. And we would refer you to the Department of War for further questions," she added.
Trump said he had not seen the report on the school strike and would wait for the investigation to be completed before commenting, describing the incident as "horrible." He added he had seen nothing to suggest it involved a US missile, noting that missiles were being fired by multiple parties.
