White House Press Secretary Evades Questions on Iranian Civilian Plight
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt delivered a notably cold response when directly confronted about the dire situation facing innocent civilians trapped in Iran. This exchange occurred during a tense briefing at the White House on Wednesday, where journalists pressed for clarity on the administration's messaging to terrified Iranians.
Civilian Evacuations and Human Shields Deployed
Following former President Donald Trump's vow to eliminate an 'entire civilization' on Tuesday, frightened Iranian civilians reported frantically evacuating major urban centers and bidding emotional farewells to loved ones. In a horrifying defensive maneuver, defiant government leaders reportedly ordered their own citizens onto the streets to serve as human shields against potential military strikes.
Hours after these threats, Trump announced a 10-day ceasefire agreement with Iran's new regime, which he characterized as more reasonable, to collaboratively work toward a peace deal. Despite this development, numerous Iranians have expressed to the Daily Mail that they remain profoundly confused and terrified, receiving no substantive guidance from either the US administration or their own government regarding their next steps.
Leavitt's Chilly Briefing Room Exchange
During the briefing, the Daily Mail specifically questioned Leavitt about what message the administration has for terrified Iranians currently enduring a communications blackout and uncertain about survival strategies. The President's own directives have included contradictory advice, telling Iranian civilians to 'stay inside their homes' while simultaneously urging them to 'take back their country.'
However, the top White House spokeswoman bluntly pivoted away from addressing this humanitarian crisis and the conflicting messaging. 'I think the President's main priority, and my main priority, is to make sure that clear messages are sent to the American people, of course, which is my job today,' Leavitt stated, effectively sidestepping the question about Iranian civilians.
Military Casualties and Objectives Emphasized
Leavitt then shifted focus to military objectives and casualties. The United States has confirmed 13 service members killed and over 380 wounded, according to data provided Wednesday by US Central Command. On the Iranian side, estimates are far more severe and heavily disputed, with military fatalities ranging from 1,200 to over 3,000 according to Human Rights Activists in Iran.
She claimed the President has successfully eliminated 'the imminent threat that was posed by their military, to the United States, to our allies in the region to our forces in the region.' Leavitt added that the administration hopes Iran will become a 'country of peace and prosperity,' noting they are 'moving into this next round of negotiations to hopefully come to an agreement with this new regime that will create long-term stability.'
Contradictory Directives and Civilian Communications
The Daily Mail informed the press secretary about messages exchanged with Iranians who said their final goodbyes in case Trump followed through with his threats to 'wipe out Iran's civilization' if their leaders did not come to the table. Journalists pointed out the stark contradiction in the President's directives asking civilians to stay indoors while encouraging a civilian uprising.
Leavitt dodged this question, repeating: 'Again, we are moving into this next round of negotiations with the remnants of the regime and those that we are speaking with now, to hopefully reach a place of peace long-term for the region,' adding that this long-term peace would 'include the Iranian people as well.'
Ground chaos continues despite the ceasefire agreement. One Iranian messaged the Daily Mail: 'My internet connection keeps cutting out for long periods. If our chat stays on Instagram, it could put me in serious danger - the regime randomly connects people's phones to the internet in the streets and checks their apps. I have to delete our chat. Wishing you a path full of success.' The regime's paranoia has led to severe communications crackdowns, prompting many to sever outside world ties.
Operation Epic Fury and Ceasefire Details
Beyond her remarks toward Iranian civilians, Leavitt spent much of the briefing touting the scale of 'Operation Epic Fury.' She characterized the 38-day campaign as a 'historically swift and successful military triumph' that exceeded core objectives.
'The US military destroyed Iran's defense industrial base, crushing the regime's ability to manufacture weapons that they and their proxies use to maim and kill Americans and terrorize the world,' Leavitt stated. She provided a grim tally: 'Iran now has zero submarine vessels,' and its Air Force is 'functionally and operationally irrelevant' with daily flights plummeting from nearly 100 to zero.
The briefing shed light on ceasefire origins. Leavitt revealed the administration had 'literally thrown in the garbage' Iran's initial 10-point plan, opting instead for a 'modified' version of the President's own 15-point proposal. 'The President's red lines - namely, the end of Iranian enrichment on Iranian soil - have not changed,' she warned. Vice President JD Vance will lead a negotiating team to Islamabad this Saturday for formal talks.
However, the administration remains on high alert. Echoing Vance's own words, Leavitt called the agreement a 'fragile truce,' warning that 'the Pentagon had a target list that they were ready to hit go on at 8pm Tuesday night if the Iranian regime had not agreed to open the strait.'
