Trump to hit Iran harder if Tehran does not accept defeat: White House

US President Donald Trump will hit Iran harder if Tehran fails to accept that ​the country has been "defeated militarily," White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said ‌on Wednesday.

"President Trump does not bluff and he is prepared to unleash hell. Iran should not miscalculate again," Leavitt told reporters in a press briefing.

"If Iran fails to accept the reality ​of the current moment, if they fail to understand that they have ​been defeated militarily, and will continue to be, President Trump will ⁠ensure they are hit harder than they have ever been hit before," she ​said.

As the joint US-Israeli ​war on Iran entered its fourth week, there have been efforts ‌by ⁠multiple countries such as Pakistan, Turkiye and Egypt to mediate.

Also Read: Iran still weighing US proposal despite negative initial response, senior Iranian official says

Iran is still reviewing a US proposal to end the war, despite an initial response that was negative, ​a senior Iranian official told Reuters on Wednesday, indicating that Tehran had so ​far stopped short of rejecting it outright.

Talks with Iran were still under way, Leavitt said. "Talks ‌continue. ⁠They are productive, as the president said on Monday, and they continue to be," she added.

Citing unnamed sources, media outlets on Tuesday reported that Washington sent Tehran a 15-point plan on ending the war. Leavitt said on Wednesday that elements of ​the reports were not ​fully accurate, but ⁠she did not provide specifics.

"The White House never confirmed that full plan. There are elements of truth to it, but some ​of the stories I read were not entirely factual, so ​I am ⁠not going to negotiate on behalf of the president here at the podium," Leavitt said.

However, Iran rejected the US proposal aimed at ending the ongoing war, saying any ceasefire would take place only on Tehran’s terms and timeline, a senior political-security official told the state-run Press TV.

Read More: Iran rejects US proposal, outlines five conditions to end war

The official said Iran responded negatively to the American initiative, stressing that the end of the “imposed war” would depend solely on conditions set by the Islamic Republic. According to the official, Iran outlined five conditions for ending the war, including a complete halt to “aggression and assassinations.”

The conditions also include establishing concrete mechanisms to ensure the war is not reimposed on Iran, as well as “guaranteed and clearly” defined payment of war damages and reparations.

Tehran further called for the conclusion of the war across all fronts and for all “resistance groups” involved throughout the region. The official also stressed the need for international recognition and guarantees of Iran’s sovereign right to exercise authority over the Strait of Hormuz.

The US sent Iran a 15-point plan aimed at resolving the conflict in the Middle East, a report said Tuesday.

The New York Times, citing two officials briefed on the diplomacy, said the proposal was delivered via Pakistan and outlines steps addressing Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs as well as maritime security in the Strait of Hormuz.

US House speaker says Operation Epic Fury against Iran 'almost done'

US House Speaker Mike Johnson said on Wednesday that the military campaign against Iran, Operation Epic Fury, is nearing its conclusion, expressing confidence that objectives have largely been achieved.

"Operation Epic Fury is almost done. I mean, I think the mission that was very clearly defined in the beginning, the objectives have been met," he said at a news conference.

Johnson added that the campaign is expected to wrap up in a "short time" period, reflecting what he described as the intent of both the Trump administration and the Defense Department.

When asked about the US order to deploy thousands of soldiers to the Middle East, Johnson said the buildup of troops is "very different" than boots on the ground.

"We don't have boots on the ground. I don't think that's the intention, but I think Iran should watch that build up, and they need to take note of that," he added.

Also Read: UN chief warns Iran war 'out of control,' world staring down barrel of wider conflict

Iran has to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, Johnson said, adding Tehran cannot have a nuclear warhead.

"That job is almost done, and I think it will wrap up soon. ... I think we're wrapping up Operation Epic Fury, that's what I think. And I think it will be done in short order, and that'll be right on schedule," he said.

The US and Israel launched a joint offensive on Iran on February 28 that has so far killed more than 1,300 people, including then-Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

Iran has retaliated with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel and Gulf countries that are home to US military assets.

Thirteen US service members have been killed, and about 290 others have been injured since the operation began.