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Leavitt Says Trump’s 10 Day Pause on Strikes Is a “Once in a Generation Opportunity for Iran to Stop Acting as the Leading State Sponsor of Terrorism”

  • Rob Glenn
  • March 30, 2026
Leavitt Says Trump’s 10 Day Pause on Strikes Is a “Once in a Generation Opportunity for Iran to Stop Acting as the Leading State Sponsor of Terrorism”

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Monday that a temporary halt in select U.S. strikes against Iran is intended to provide what she described as a critical opening for negotiations, as the regime faces mounting military pressure from ongoing operations.

During the March 30 briefing, Leavitt pointed to continued U.S. and allied military success under Operation Epic Fury, stating that intensified strikes have weakened Iran’s position and pushed its leadership toward diplomacy. She said, “It’s no surprise that 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. Despite all of the public posturing you hear from the regime and false reporting, talks are continuing and going well. What is said publicly is of course much different than what’s being communicated to us privately.”

Leavitt confirmed that Donald Trump ordered a temporary pause on specific planned strikes targeting Iranian energy infrastructure, framing the decision as a strategic opening rather than a de-escalation. “As a result, President Trump issued a 10-day pause to postpone planned strikes on Iranian power plants and energy infrastructure. This remains a truly once in a generation opportunity for the regime to make a good deal with the United States, permanently abandon their nuclear ambitions, and stop acting as the world’s leading state sponsor of terrorism.”

The pause follows a public statement from Trump on March 26, in which he wrote, “As per Iranian Government request, please let this statement serve to represent that I am pausing the period of Energy Plant destruction by 10 Days to Monday, April 6, 2026, at 8 P.M., Eastern Time. Talks are ongoing and, despite erroneous statements to the contrary by the Fake News Media, and others, they are going very well.” The timeline establishes a defined window for negotiations as military pressure continues in other domains.

Leavitt emphasized that the administration views the moment as decisive, warning that failure to reach an agreement would result in continued and potentially expanded military action. “If the Iranians reject this golden opportunity, the greatest military in the history of the world continues to stand by to provide President Trump with every option available to ensure this regime continues to pay a grave price. One way or another, Iran will no longer have the credible ability to threaten the United States or our allies, which is of course the overall objective the president set out when he launched Operation Epic Fury.”

The current Iranian regime, which has remained in power since the Iranian Revolution, has long been defined by hostility toward the United States, including repeated public chants of “death to America” by its leadership and supporters. Leavitt suggested that despite such rhetoric, private communications indicate a different posture as sustained military losses mount and internal pressure increases.