White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt holds a briefing with reporters — 3/30/2026

Summary

• The White House reports significant military success in "Operation Epic Fury" against Iran, claiming a 90% reduction in Iranian ballistic missile/drone attacks, destruction of 150+ naval vessels (92% of largest ships), and damage to ~70% of missile/drone production facilities.
• A 10-day pause in strikes on Iranian power/energy infrastructure is in effect to facilitate negotiations; the administration claims private talks with a "more reasonable" faction are ongoing, contrasting public Iranian denials.
• The core military objectives are defined as: destroying the Iranian Navy, destroying ballistic missiles, dismantling defense industrial infrastructure, and preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. Full reopening of the Strait of Hormuz is a goal but not a stated core objective.
• A political standoff has led to a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) funding lapse, causing TSA staffing crises, 3+ hour airport security waits, and 500 TSA resignations.
• President Trump used emergency authority to direct payment to TSA employees, but the administration emphasizes this is a temporary fix and blames Congressional Democrats for refusing to fund DHS over immigration policy disputes.
• The administration cites high diesel prices (~$5.38/gal) as a short-term fluctuation, attributing it to the conflict and outlining actions taken (political risk insurance, releasing 400M barrels from reserves, Jones Act waiver) to stabilize energy markets.
• On Cuba, the administration allowed a Russian oil tanker for "humanitarian reasons" but insists U.S. sanctions policy has not formally changed and future decisions will be case-by-case.
• The press secretary defended threats against Iranian civilian infrastructure (power plants, desalination) as leverage for a deal, stating the U.S. will "always act within the confines of the law."