At Thursday’s press briefing, Deputy State Department Spokesperson Tommy Pigott reiterated the Trump administration’s focus on the ceasefire between Iran and Israel, stressing U.S. support for Israel and the pursuit of regional peace under President Donald Trump’s leadership.
Pigott stated plainly: “Right now, what we’re looking at is trying to get a ceasefire. That is our focus.”
He added, “Our focus now is the ceasefire. We need to see—our focus is getting to that ceasefire, standing with Israel’s right to defend itself, its right to protect itself.”
When asked about upcoming diplomatic talks with Iran, Pigott confirmed the goal remains long-term peace: “Well, I refer you to my colleague Karoline [Leavitt]. She spoke about this, at the press briefing at the White House. One of the things that she said there was the goal of an Iranian meeting is to obtain longstanding peace in the region.”
He declined to elaborate further, saying, “I have nothing further to add to her comments.”
President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu are in early talks to meet in the coming weeks, according to reporting from The Jerusalem Post.
While no date is set, both leaders are reportedly interested in a high-level meeting following the ceasefire with Iran. Sources told the Post the two sides see value in what one Israeli official called a potential “victory party.”
Key topics expected to be discussed include expanding the Abraham Accords and advancing a Gaza hostage deal. The Post also reports that the idea of exiling senior Hamas leaders from Gaza, long rejected, has returned to the table in ongoing talks.
Netanyahu said Thursday that Israel is seeking “a dramatic expansion of peace agreements,” signaling strong interest in coordinating next steps with the Trump administration.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt emphasized once again that President Donald Trump does not want to drag the U.S. into an “endless war with Iran.”
Her comments at Thursday’s press briefing came in response to questions from a reporter who asked how long the Israel-Iran cease-fire will last, and about Americans who are worried that the U.S. is being pulled into another long-term conflict.
“I think the fact that the president was able to successfully negotiate a cease fire when nobody thought that was possible–it was a surprise to everyone in this room. It was a surprise to the world, but the president got it done because he wants to see peace in this world,” Leavitt responded. “He does not want the United States to be dragged into these conflicts again. He’s not afraid to use strength if he has to, but the president has already proven he can put America first and deliver on peace. At the same time, they’re not mutually exclusive goals.”