In a recent exchange that highlighted the tense atmosphere at the White House, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt faced probing questions about the dire situation of civilians caught in Iran’s turmoil. Her response, noticeably reserved, came amid escalating fears for those trapped in a potential conflict zone.

The anxiety among civilians surged after former President Trump’s alarming declaration on Tuesday, where he threatened to obliterate an ‘entire civilization.’ This statement sent shockwaves through the population, prompting many to flee urban areas in desperation, bidding emotional farewells to family members as the threat of military action loomed.

In a move that further exacerbated tensions, Iranian leaders reportedly resorted to a grim strategy, urging citizens to act as human shields. This chilling directive underscored the gravity of the situation, as the threat of violence hung heavily in the air.

Amidst this high-stakes scenario, a temporary respite emerged when Trump later announced a 10-day ceasefire with Iran’s new government, which he deemed more amenable. This pause was intended to pave the way for negotiations aimed at securing a peace agreement.

Despite this brief reprieve, many Iranians remain engulfed in uncertainty and fear. As they navigate a landscape marred by a communication blackout, there is a palpable lack of direction from both the U.S. and Iranian governments, leaving citizens in limbo about their next steps.

Stay Home vs. Take Back the Country 

In a heated moment during a White House briefing on Wednesday, the Daily Mail sought clarity from Leavitt, pressing her for a message to the beleaguered Iranian populace. The exchange underscored the urgent need for guidance and reassurance for those enduring the ongoing crisis.

The President’s own directives have included telling Iranian civilians to ‘stay inside their homes,’ while also urging them to ‘take back their country.’ 

But the top White House spokeswoman bluntly pivoted away from addressing the humanitarian crisis and 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.

The US has confirmed 13 service members killed and over 380 wounded, according to data provided Wednesday by US Central Command.

A Staggering Toll 

On the Iranian side, the figures are far more severe and heavily disputed, with estimates of military fatalities ranging from 1,200 to over 3,000, according to Human Rights Activists in Iran. 

She then turned to the administration’s military objectives, claiming 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 President hopes Iran will become a ‘country of peace and prosperity,’ noting that the administration is ‘moving into this next round of negotiations to hopefully come to an agreement with this new regime that will create long-term stability.’

However, Leavitt’s response glaringly sidestepped the mixed messages the White House is currently broadcasting to the Iranian public.

The Daily Mail followed up, pointing out a stark contradiction in the President’s own directives asking civilians to stay indoors while simultaneously encouraging a civilian uprising. 

But Leavitt dodged the question.

A Historic Triumph 

‘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,’ she repeated, adding that this long-term peace would ‘include the Iranian people as well.’

But the chaos on the ground continues after a harrowing lead-up to the ceasefire agreement. 

‘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,’ one Iranian messaged the Daily Mail yesterday following the President’s threats to the country. 

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 its core objectives.

Zero Submarines 

‘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 of the destruction: ‘Iran now has zero submarine vessels,’ she said, and its Air Force is ‘functionally and operationally irrelevant’ — daily flights having plummeted from nearly 100 to zero.

The briefing also shed light on how the ceasefire came about. Leavitt revealed that 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.

But 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 Tueday night if the Iranian regime had not agreed to open the strait.’

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