US says Iran sending private messages different from public statements

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters that what Iran is saying publicly is different to the message they are sending privately to the United States.

An official from the Islamic Republic reached out to US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff "expressing a far different tone than what you're seeing publicly," Leavitt said.

Axios had earlier reported a phone call between Iran's foreign minister Abbas Araghchi and Witkoff, during which the two sides discussed the protests and Iran's disputed nuclear program.

“I think one thing President Trump is very good at is always keeping all of his options on the table,” Leavitt said.

“Airstrikes would be of the many, many options that are on the table for the commander-in-chief. Diplomacy is always the first option for the president. He told all of you last night that what you’re hearing from the Iranian regime is quite differently from the messages the administration has received privately.”

“I think the president has an interest in exploring those messages. However, with that said, the president has shown he’s unafraid to use military options if and when deemed necessary,” she added. “Nobody knows that better than Iran.”