White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt has warned Iran that any future attacks on vessels linked to U.S. interests would prompt a military response from President Donald Trump.
According to a Fox News video posted on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, Leavitt said the United States was honoring its obligations under an existing ceasefire but would respond decisively to any renewed aggression following reports of attacks on two merchant ships and an exchange of fire involving Iranian forces over the weekend.
“We’re holding up our end of the ceasefire. Violence will be met with violence… there were attacks on vessels that the president responded to and that will continue to happen. Hope we don’t see that,” Leavitt said.
She added that Iran had requested renewed talks and said Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff would travel to Doha for technical discussions on a memorandum of understanding.
Leavitt cited Operation Epic Fury and the Midnight Hammer strikes as evidence of the administration’s willingness to use force while expressing hope that diplomacy would prevent further escalation.
