US Says Iran Operation Ahead of Schedule, Signals Openness to Talks

Washington, March 2026 : The White House has asserted that ongoing US military operations against Iran are progressing faster than expected and are close to achieving their primary objectives, even as diplomatic engagement between the two sides continues in parallel.

Addressing reporters, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt described “Operation Epic Fury” as a major success, noting that within just over three weeks, the campaign had already delivered significant results. She stated that more than 9,000 enemy targets had been struck so far, calling the operation a “resounding military triumph.”

According to the White House, the sustained strikes have severely weakened Iran’s offensive capabilities. Leavitt highlighted that missile and drone attacks from Iran had dropped by nearly 90 percent since the start of the operation. She further claimed that US forces had destroyed over 140 Iranian naval vessels, describing it as one of the most significant naval setbacks in recent history.

The operation has also focused heavily on securing key maritime routes, particularly the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz. The White House said recent strikes targeted underground facilities used for storing anti-ship missiles and launch systems near the strait. These efforts, officials say, have significantly reduced Iran’s ability to threaten global shipping and energy supplies.

Leavitt emphasized that the mission is “ahead of schedule,” noting that the original timeline of four to six weeks is likely to be shortened. With 25 days already completed, the administration believes it is close to fulfilling the core objectives of the campaign.

Despite the ongoing military pressure, the US has indicated a willingness to resolve the conflict through diplomacy. Leavitt revealed that following strong warnings from Donald Trump, Iran signalled its interest in negotiations. She confirmed that discussions held over the past three days had been “productive,” prompting the US to temporarily delay planned strikes on Iranian energy infrastructure.

However, the administration made it clear that military escalation remains an option if talks fail. Leavitt warned that if Iran does not respond positively to the current situation, the US is prepared to intensify its actions significantly. She reiterated that President Trump’s stance remains firm and uncompromising.

The White House also dismissed reports about a proposed US “15-point plan” to end the conflict, stating that such claims were partly inaccurate and based on speculative information from anonymous sources.

Meanwhile, the administration is working closely with global partners to stabilise energy markets affected by the conflict. Measures under consideration include coordinated oil releases and temporary waivers to ease supply constraints. Although there is no fixed timeline yet for fully restoring tanker movement through the Strait of Hormuz, officials described it as a top priority.

On the diplomatic front, Leavitt maintained that discussions remain sensitive and are still underway, declining to share detailed information.

In a related development, the White House announced that President Trump’s meeting with Xi Jinping will now take place in Beijing on May 14–15, after being postponed earlier due to the ongoing conflict.

(The content of this article is sourced from a news agency and has not been edited by the Mavericknews30 team.)