The White House said end-of-war talks between the United States and Iran are proceeding productively but added the U.S. has not requested an extension of the cease-fire.
On the 15th (local time), White House Spokesperson Caroline Leavitt said at a White House briefing, "There were a few incorrect reports this morning that we formally requested a cease-fire extension, which is not true at this time," adding, "We remain very committed to negotiations and talks."
The United States and Iran agreed on the 7th to a two-week cease-fire, and there had been reports that the two sides were considering extending the truce by another two weeks to secure more time for end-of-war talks.
Leavitt said, "I saw reports about the possibility of face-to-face talks, and while such discussions are underway, nothing is finalized until there is an official announcement," adding, "The conversations are productive and are ongoing."
She added, "We view the prospects for an agreement positively," and emphasized again, "For Iran, it is clearly in its best interest to accept President Trump's demands."
On the location of the next face-to-face talks, she said, "It is very likely to be the same place as last time." Earlier, the United States and Iran held their first round of talks on the 11th in Islamabad, Pakistan, but ultimately failed to find common ground.
Leavitt also said regarding the rise in oil prices due to the war, "This is only a short-term setback for the long-term goal of preventing the world's largest state sponsor of terrorism from obtaining nuclear weapons," adding, "We expect gasoline prices to fall as soon as operations against Iran and the ongoing negotiations conclude and the Strait of Hormuz reopens."
At the briefing, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Small Business Administration chief Kelly Loeffler joined, and there was also time to promote the results of President Trump's major tax cut measures as the tax filing deadline arrived.
The White House said the average refund this tax filing season is about $3,400, up 11% from a year earlier and 19% from the recent four-year average. According to Secretary Bessent, 45% of all taxpayers benefited from one of President Trump's major tax cut measures.
Meanwhile, the White House said U.S. President Donald Trump will visit Las Vegas, Nevada, on the 16th to deliver remarks on tax relief. On the 17th, he will visit Phoenix, Arizona, to take the microphone at an event hosted by the youth conservative group "Turning Point USA."
Leavitt said she will also unveil on the 16th plans to build a Triumphal Arch to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States. It will be built at the Columbia Island Memorial Circle site on the Potomac River in Virginia near Washington, and, to mark the 250th anniversary, it is planned to stand 250 feet (about 76 meters) tall.