Donald Trump “does not bluff and is prepared to unleash hell” on Iran, with a major warning sent to the country that they must “not miscalculate again”. Speaking during a weekly media briefing, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt voiced encouragement about a possible end to the war in the Middle East, insisting the US President “wants peace”.

However, she warned if Iran fails to accept they have been defeated, Mr Trump will “will ensure they are hit harder than they have ever been hit before”. Ms Leavitt said: “President Trump does not bluff and he is prepared to unleash hell. Iran should not miscalculate again.” Commenting on the Iranians, she added: “Their last miscalculation cost them their senior leadership, their navy, their air force and their air defence system. Any violence beyond this point will be because the Iranian regime refused to understand.”

The White House press secretary further said that the US is “very close to meeting the core objectives” of Operation Epic Fury.

Donald Trump estimated the operation would take four to six weeks, Karoline Leavitt says, but “25 days in the greatest military the world has ever known is ahead of schedule and performing exceptionally day by day”.

However, the comments from Ms Leavitt contradicted what the US president told reporters last night when he said “this war has been won”.

She further said that negotiations between the US and Iran are still ongoing, rejecting claims that the talks have stalled. She declined to discuss specific details, criticising media coverage for relying on “speculative plans.”

During her White House briefing, she acknowledged that a reported US‑drafted 15‑point proposal contains “elements of truth,” but stressed that not all of the information circulating in the press is accurate.

On Wednesday, Iran’s foreign minister once again denied any direct talks with the US, instead saying the only contact has been through mediators.

The US ‌proposal to end ​the war is being reviewed by top ​authorities ⁠in ⁠Tehran, but exchanging ‌messages through mediators “does not mean negotiations”, Abbas Araghchi told Iranian state TV.

Iran has no intention of holding talks with the US, he said.

Araghchi added Iran had shown the world that no country could threaten its security, and claimed the US had failed to protect its allies in the Gulf despite having bases in the region.