White House says Iranian leaders were killed after ‘lying’ during negotiations with US

The White House has said that several Iranian leaders were killed because they “lied” to the United States during negotiations, in a sharp statement that underscores the escalating rhetoric surrounding the ongoing conflict in West Asia.

Speaking to reporters, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said that some Iranian leaders are “no longer on planet Earth” because they misled Washington and prolonged negotiations.

Leavitt alleged that Iranian officials had made commitments in private discussions that did not match their public stance, accusing Tehran of attempting to “string along” the United States during talks.

“Some of the previous leaders are now no longer on planet Earth because they lied to the United States and they strung us along in negotiations,” she said, warning that such actions were “unacceptable” to US leadership.

The remarks come amid reports that the US had put forward a multi-point proposal aimed at ending the conflict, which Iran has reportedly rejected as “unrealistic, illogical and excessive”.

Iran, for its part, has maintained that it is not engaged in direct negotiations under current conditions and has emphasised that it is focused on defending itself amid ongoing military actions.

Leavitt said Washington would now closely scrutinise any assurances provided by Tehran, indicating that future engagements would be tested for credibility. She also warned of potential consequences if commitments made in private are not honoured.

The comments reflect a widening gap between US and Iranian narratives, with Washington suggesting backchannel engagement while Tehran continues to publicly deny meaningful talks.

The statement also comes against the backdrop of intensified military action in the region, including targeted strikes on Iranian leadership and infrastructure. Several high-ranking Iranian figures have reportedly been killed in recent weeks as part of the escalating conflict.

The White House’s remarks appear to justify these targeted killings by linking them to alleged deception during negotiations, a stance that is likely to further inflame tensions.

At the same time, the US has indicated that diplomacy remains an option, even as it maintains pressure through military means. Officials have reiterated that any future agreement would depend on Iran adhering to commitments made during discussions.

The situation remains volatile, with conflicting claims over negotiations and continued escalation raising concerns about a prolonged conflict.