White House: No negotiations with Iran at present, focus on tightening economic pressures

Washington, Aug 27 (KUNA) -- The White House confirmed on Thursday that no negotiations are currently underway with Tehran, and that the United States is now focusing on applying the harshest levels of economic pressure against Iran. White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt told Fox News that Washington “is not conducting any negotiations at this time, and this situation will continue until President (Donald Trump) feels that (the Iranians) present themselves in a purposeful manner at the negotiating table, which we have not seen so far.” Leavitt added that the United States is focusing on the effectiveness of the “economic pariah” campaign launched by President Trump against Iran, while keeping all options on the table. She said, “We have executed the ‘Epic Rage’ operation to destroy their (Iranian) military capabilities, and now we have the ‘economic pariah’ operation to destroy their economy.” U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent had previously stated that the “economic pariah” campaign launched by Washington last Monday aims to cut off “every economic lifeline that feeds the Iranian regime,” targeting sectors such as digital assets, technology, gold, aviation, and maritime shipping. (End) A.M.M./M.A.A.