BDN Exclusive: White House declines to confirm U.S.-Iran talks after direct inquiry
The response comes amid conflicting claims from U.S. and Iranian officials about whether negotiations are underway.
The White House declined to confirm whether the United States is engaged in talks with Iran, telling BDN that it will “not negotiate through the news media” and describing the situation as “sensitive diplomatic discussions.”
The response came after BDN reached out to the White House seeking clarification following conflicting public statements about potential negotiations between the two countries.
“These are sensitive diplomatic discussions and the United States will not negotiate through the news media. As President Trump and his negotiators explore this newfound possibility of diplomacy, Operation Epic Fury continues unabated to achieve the military objectives laid out by the Commander in Chief and the Pentagon.” — Karoline Leavitt
The response follows a series of mixed public signals in recent days. U.S. officials have suggested that talks may be happening, while Iranian officials have denied that any negotiations are underway.
At the same time, the White House is signaling that diplomacy may be underway even as military operations continue.
That framing introduces a level of ambiguity that leaves the central question unresolved: whether formal talks are actually taking place.
While the refusal to comment aligns with standard practice, the messaging creates a gap between what is being asked and what is being answered.
The statement also underscores a broader reality of modern conflict. Diplomacy and military action are not always mutually exclusive, and governments may pursue both at the same time without publicly confirming either in detail.
For now, the White House is making clear it will not publicly define the status of any talks, leaving the situation unclear as tensions continue.