White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt holds a briefing with reporters — 4/8/2026

Summary

• The U.S. military operation "Epic Fury" achieved its core objectives in 38 days, severely degrading Iran's military capabilities, including its navy, air force, ballistic missiles, drone program, and defense industrial base.
• A two-week ceasefire is now in effect, initiated after Iran agreed to U.S. demands following a threat of further military action. The ceasefire is explicitly conditioned on the "free, safe, and immediate reopening" of the Strait of Hormuz.
• The U.S. negotiating team, led by VP JD Vance, will travel to Islamabad for talks with Iran. A key U.S. "red line" is the complete end of Iranian uranium enrichment within its borders.
• The administration announced a new 50% tariff policy on all goods from any nation found to be "supplying military weapons to Iran," to be imposed "immediately" with no exemptions.
• The administration is critical of NATO allies, accusing them of "turn[ing] their backs on the American people" during the conflict. The possibility of U.S. withdrawal from NATO remains under discussion.
• The White House suggests the conflict has led to a form of "regime change" in Iran, dismantling the former command structure, but the future governance and freedoms for the Iranian people remain uncertain.
• While the U.S. expects Iran to handle refugee resettlement, it will monitor and assist. The U.S. military posture in the region will remain unchanged during the ceasefire negotiations.
• The administration is deporting individuals with ties to the former Iranian regime who are in the U.S. under fraudulent asylum claims.