Michael Hernandez
February 18, 2026•Update: February 19, 2026
WASHINGTON
Diplomacy is US President Donald Trump's "first option" with respect to negotiations with Iran, the White House said Wednesday, acknowledging that he is "talking to many people" about potential military strikes.
Spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said there are "many reasons and arguments that one could make for a strike against Iran," pointing to attacks the president ordered in June against nuclear facilities that the administration maintains "totally obliterated" Iran's nuclear program.
"The President has always been very clear, though, with respect to Iran or any country around the world, diplomacy is always his first option, and Iran would be very wise to make a deal with President Trump and with this administration. He's talking to many people, of course, his national security team first and foremost," she told reporters.
Asked if Trump is engaging with Israel to coordinate potential attacks on Iran, Leavitt declined to comment. "I don't have any specifics on the president's recent conversations with Israel."
Also questioned about whether Trump has informed Iran of a deadline by which he wants to see an agreement finalized, Leavitt said it is a "fair question," but declined to "set deadlines on behalf of the President of the United States."
The comments came one day after the US and Iran concluded a second round of indirect negotiations mediated by Oman, with both sides acknowledging progress amid a growing American military buildup in the region.
Shortly after the Geneva-based talks concluded, US Vice President JD Vance described the negotiations as productive "in some ways," but said Tehran was "not yet willing" to engage on some of Trump's "red lines."
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said talks showed progress, describing the atmosphere as "more constructive."
Washington has significantly stepped up its military presence in the region, deploying the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group, with the USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier on its way to the region, along with additional fighter jets.
The Geneva meeting was the second round of negotiations since Trump ordered strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities last June. The first round was held in Muscat, Oman, on Feb. 6.
