WASHINGTON

The White House said on Monday that talks with Iran are continuing and “going well,” despite public statements from Tehran indicating otherwise.

“We are seeing the remaining elements of the regime become increasingly eager to end the destruction and come to the negotiating table while they still can,” White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters.

“What is said publicly is, of course, much different than what’s being communicated to us privately.

“Anything they say to us privately will be tested, and we will ensure that they are held accountable to their word,” she said.

Leavitt says President Donald Trump has laid out the military consequences that Iranian would face if they “don’t hold true to the words we are hearing privately, behind the scenes.”

She also said that the Iran war will continue until the US military objectives are achieved, and the four- to six-week timeline previously announced by the Pentagon on March 15 remains.

A US proposal delivered via Pakistan calls for Iran to curb its nuclear and missile programs and limit control over key energy routes, including the Strait of Hormuz, but Tehran has rejected it as serving US and Israeli interests while keeping indirect channels open.

Her remarks come as the US and Israel continue their joint strikes against Iran, which began on Feb. 28, with US officials saying operations could conclude within weeks if objectives are met, while diplomatic channels remain open through intermediaries.