THE White House has rejected claims that the United States and Iran have agreed to extend their current ceasefire, even as officials express guarded optimism that ongoing diplomatic efforts could bring an end to the conflict.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said on Wednesday that reports of an extension to the temporary truce were inaccurate.
"Not true at this moment," she said when asked about the status of the ceasefire, according to Xinhua news agency.
Speaking during a press briefing, Leavitt indicated that the administration remains hopeful that continued negotiations could lead to a broader agreement to end the weeks-long war.
"We feel good about the prospects of a deal," she said.
However, she declined to confirm when formal talks with Iran would resume. She added that if negotiations do proceed, they are expected to continue in Pakistan following stalled discussions in Islamabad over the weekend.
Earlier, US President Donald Trump suggested that fresh talks between Washington and Tehran could take place imminently.
"Could be happening over next two days," he said on Tuesday, referring to potential negotiations in Pakistan.
Trump also remarked on Wednesday that the US-Israeli war with Iran is "very close to being over," although he did not provide a specific timeline.
The current ceasefire, which has been in place for two weeks, is due to expire next week, raising uncertainty over whether hostilities may resume if no agreement is reached. - April 16, 2026
