Washington, March 26 (NationPress) — The White House has announced that US military actions against Iran are currently "ahead of schedule" and approaching key objectives, while simultaneously engaging in "productive" negotiations with Tehran to resolve the conflict.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt informed reporters on Wednesday (local time) that the United States is nearing its primary goals for "Operation Epic Fury," which she characterized as a "significant military success" following nearly four weeks of combat.

"After just over three weeks, it is clear that Operation Epic Fury has been an undeniable military success," she stated, noting that over 9,000 enemy targets have been impacted thus far.

Leavitt also mentioned that Iran's missile and drone assaults have decreased by approximately "90 percent" since the commencement of the operation. Furthermore, she claimed that the US military has eliminated more than 140 Iranian naval vessels, marking it as the "largest naval destruction over a three-week timeframe since World War II."

"With each passing day, our military endeavors are becoming increasingly successful, progressively reducing Iran's capacity to threaten merchant shipping," she added.

The White House indicated that the campaign has notably diminished Iran's capacity to jeopardize shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global energy route. Over the weekend, US forces targeted an underground facility utilized for storing anti-ship missiles and launchers near the strait with "multiple 5,000-pound bombs."

Leavitt expressed that the US is "very close to achieving the core objectives" of the operation, which officials had previously estimated would require four to six weeks. At 25 days into the campaign, she stated that military operations are "ahead of schedule and performing exceptionally well."

Despite ongoing military actions, Washington has shown a willingness to explore diplomatic avenues. Leavitt noted that Iran has signaled a desire to engage following recent US pressure.

"After President Trump’s strong warning on Saturday night, it became evident that Iran was open to discussions," she remarked.

She confirmed that negotiations over the past few days have been "productive," leading President Donald Trump to temporarily delay planned strikes on Iranian energy infrastructure.

However, she cautioned that military actions could intensify if talks do not yield results.

"If Iran does not acknowledge the reality of the current situation… President Trump will ensure they are struck harder than they have ever faced before," Leavitt stated, asserting that the president "does not bluff."

She also dismissed media reports regarding a proposed US "15-point plan" to conclude the war, labeling them as partly inaccurate and founded on "speculative plans from unnamed sources."

The administration is striving to stabilize global energy markets amid the conflict, which includes collaborating with international partners to release oil supplies and providing waivers to alleviate fuel constraints.

Leavitt indicated that there is no immediate timeline for fully restoring tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, but emphasized it as a critical objective.

On the topic of diplomacy, she reiterated that negotiations are delicate and ongoing. "We’re not going to delve into the intricate details… these discussions are still in progress," she said.

The White House also announced that President Trump’s meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping is scheduled for May 14–15 in Beijing, having been postponed due to the conflict.