By Gloria Ogbonna
The White House delivered a forceful message on Wednesday, declaring that President Donald Trump is fully prepared to escalate military action against Iran if its leaders refuse to acknowledge what U.S. officials describe as a decisive battlefield defeat and decline to negotiate a settlement.
Speaking during a press briefing, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt warned that Tehran “should not miscalculate again,” asserting that previous misjudgments by the Iranian regime have already resulted in devastating military consequences.
According to Leavitt, Iran has suffered significant losses to its senior leadership, naval fleet, air force capabilities, and air defense systems amid ongoing operations in the region.
The administration’s remarks come as U.S. forces — including Marines and units from the 82nd Airborne Division — continue deploying to the Middle East to support combat operations. The buildup, officials say, is designed to maintain strategic flexibility and reinforce American leverage as diplomatic discussions continue behind the scenes.
Leavitt framed the situation as a pivotal moment for Tehran. “If they fail to understand that they have been defeated militarily and will continue to be,” she stated, “President Trump will ensure they are hit harder than they have ever been hit before.” She emphasized that the president does not make empty threats, adding that he is “prepared to unleash hell” should Iran reject the opportunity to come to terms.
According to the White House, the warning follows what officials describe as sweeping battlefield gains under Operation Epic Fury. More than 9,000 targets have reportedly been struck since the campaign began. Iranian ballistic missile and drone attacks, officials claim, have decreased by approximately 90 percent compared to the early days of the conflict.
In addition, U.S. forces are said to have destroyed more than 140 Iranian naval vessels, including nearly 50 mine-laying ships. Officials characterized the operation as one of the most significant naval degradations in modern history, dramatically limiting Iran’s capacity to threaten shipping lanes and regional stability.
The campaign has also expanded to precision strikes on underground military facilities and coastal missile installations, crippling what the administration describes as Iran’s offensive capabilities. Leavitt noted that the operation is progressing faster than originally projected, with objectives being met ahead of the anticipated four-to-six-week timeline.
Despite the strong rhetoric, the administration maintains that diplomatic engagement remains possible. Following a weekend warning from President Trump, U.S. officials indicated that Iran signaled a willingness to reengage in talks. Over the past several days, the two sides have reportedly held what Leavitt described as “productive conversations.”
As part of what officials called a tactical decision, planned strikes on certain Iranian power plants and energy infrastructure were temporarily postponed. The White House characterized the move not as de-escalation, but as strategic leverage to encourage further dialogue.
Leavitt cautioned against relying on incomplete media reports about a proposed 15-point U.S. framework for negotiations, stating that while some elements reported publicly may be accurate, the full details remain confidential and discussions are ongoing.
Meanwhile, the U.S. force posture in the region continues to expand, giving the president what officials describe as “maximum flexibility.” When asked what kind of leadership the United States ultimately seeks in Iran, Leavitt responded that Washington would prefer a government willing to engage constructively with the international community, rather than one that maintains hostile rhetoric toward America and its allies.
For now, the administration’s stance remains firm: Iran has been significantly weakened, diplomacy is still on the table, and the president is open to a deal. However, officials made clear that if Tehran refuses to accept what they characterize as military defeat, the next phase of the conflict could be far more severe.
Source Breitbrat
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