White House Says President Trump Open to Diplomacy with Iran

JAKARTA - US President Donald Trump remains open to diplomacy with Iran, the White House said on Thursday, adding that Washington is still talking to Tehran despite renewed hostilities.

The comments came a day after President Trump thanked Iran for freeing an American citizen who had been held since December 2024, a move seen as a possible diplomatic opening.

"The president will hold them accountable when they renege on the words they spoke to the United States. But at the same time, he is always open to diplomacy," White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters, launching Al Arabiya from AFP (16/7).

"They have stated they still want to make a deal with the president. We are talking to them, but once again, the president will not let them fire at ships in the Strait of Hormuz without bearing the consequences," he added.

The fragile truce agreed in June was on the verge of collapse after the United States launched several strikes in recent days, in an effort to limit Iran's ability to threaten shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.

President Trump also warned that he could expand the attack to target power plants and bridges unless Tehran returned to the negotiating table.

Iran responded by attacking US-linked facilities in neighboring countries in the Middle East.