From the Liveblog of
Wednesday, April 22, 2026
White House indicates that Iran talks focused strictly on the nuclear file
Jacob Magid is The Times of Israel's US bureau chief
WASHINGTON — White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt indicates that talks with Iran are focused strictly on the nuclear file, rather than Tehran’s rights record.
Against the backdrop of what US President Donald Trump said earlier Wednesday was a decision by Iran to cancel planned executions of eight women, Fox News asks White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt whether humanitarian issues will also be part of the ongoing, but stalled, Iran talks.
“Humanitarian issues are of a great concern to this president, but with respect to the negotiations that are ongoing, he has made his red lines very clear: Iran can never obtain a nuclear bomb to threaten the United States and our allies, and they must turn over the enriched uranium that’s in their possession,” Leavitt says.
“While it is very far into the ground thanks to the success of Operation Midnight Hammer, it’s important to the president that they hand that enriched uranium over,” she says, referring to the June 2025 US strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities.
Iran has indicated willingness to negotiate over the latter issue, but has reportedly offered to down-blend the highly enriched uranium, rather than have it transferred out of the country.
Leavitt notably makes no mention of Iran’s missile program and support for proxies, which Israel has insisted must also be part of any deal reached with Tehran.
The Times of Israel Community.