White House says talks with Iran continue

The White House said on Thursday that talks between the United States and Iran are continuing despite renewed tensions. “We are talking to them. But again, the President will not allow them to shoot at ships in the strait without consequences,” White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters at a press conference. “They have stated they still want to reach a deal with the President,” Leavitt added. On Wednesday, President Trump thanked Iran for the release of a US citizen who had been detained since December 2024, a move seen as potentially opening a path for diplomacy. US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced on Thursday that at 2:00 p.m. ET, or 1:00 a.m. WIB on Friday, US forces began launching a new wave of strikes against Iran for the sixth consecutive night to “further degrade Iranian military capabilities”.