White house says Trump wants Iran peace process to continue while keeping military option on the table

The White House on Monday said U.S. President Donald Trump remains committed to allowing the diplomatic process with Iran to move forward while retaining the authority to use military force if circumstances require.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said President Trump continues to support ongoing diplomatic engagement aimed at reducing tensions with Iran, but stressed that the President retains the option of military action if necessary.

“President Trump wants the peace process to play out,” Leavitt said, adding that the President “retains the right to use military force if needed.”

The remarks come ahead of a fresh round of discussions between the United States and Iran expected to take place in Doha, Qatar. According to the White House, U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner will attend the meeting as part of the American delegation.

Leavitt also confirmed that technical-level discussions will be held alongside the high-level diplomatic meetings. The parallel technical talks are expected to focus on issues related to the implementation of understandings reached during previous negotiations.

The upcoming Doha meeting follows recent diplomatic efforts between Washington and Tehran aimed at maintaining dialogue and reducing the risk of further escalation in the region.

While the White House reaffirmed its preference for diplomacy, officials made clear that all options remain available to the President should developments require a different course of action.

No additional details were provided regarding the agenda for the Doha talks or the specific issues that will be discussed by the technical teams. The White House also did not indicate whether any agreements are expected to be announced following the meeting.

The latest comments underscore the U.S. administration’s dual-track approach toward Iran, combining diplomatic engagement with continued emphasis on maintaining military preparedness.

Officials said the upcoming discussions represent another step in ongoing efforts to address regional security concerns through dialogue while preserving the United States’ ability to respond to evolving developments if necessary.

The Doha meetings are expected to bring together senior officials and technical experts from both sides as diplomatic contacts continue.