Leavitt says Trump chooses diplomacy first for Iran, but remains ‘willing to use’lethal force if necessary

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Tuesday that President Donald Trump’s first optionfor Iranis “always diplomacy,” but that he is “willing to use the lethal force of the United States military if necessary.” 

The remarks come after Trump wrote on Truth Social Monday that “it will be a very bad day” for Iran if the country can’t strike a deal over its nuclear program. 

“President Trump’sfirst option is always diplomacy.But as he has shown, he is willing to use the lethal force of the United States military if necessary. So the president is always the final decision-maker around here,” Leavitt said Tuesday. 

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“And I’ve seen a lot of sensationalist reporting over the past day that is just completely untrue.And anyone speculating to the media hiding behind an anonymous source, pretending to know what President Trump is thinking, or a decision he will make with respect to action against Iran has no idea what they’re talking about,” she added. 

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President Donald Trump speaks during an Angel Families remembrance ceremony held in the East Room at the White House on Feb.23, 2026, in Washington, D.C. (Win McNamee/Getty Images)

The president told reporters last week that he is“considering” a limited military strikeon Iran to pressure its leaders into reaching a deal over its nuclear program. 

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The USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72), a Nimitz-class nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, is one of the U.S.military assets currently in the Middle East.(Mike Blake/Reuters)

The U.S.has recently been increasing its military assets in the Middle East, sending the USS Gerald R.Ford and its strike group toward the region. 

The USS Abraham Lincoln and three guided-missile destroyers already are in the area. 

The USS Gerald R.Ford also has been sent to the Middle East as part of the U.S.military buildup.(U.S.Naval Forces Central Command / U.S.6th Fleet / Handout via Reuters)