Washington, April 9 (NationPress) The United States will uphold its military readiness in the Middle East, even with a two-week truce with Iran, according to the White House. This indicates that the U.S. is prepared for a swift escalation should negotiations fail.

Officials have confirmed that there are no immediate plans to reduce U.S. forces, as diplomatic initiatives commence following several weeks of intense military action.

A reporter inquired about the expectations for U.S. troops during the ceasefire, asking, “What can we anticipate from U.S. forces in the region over the next two weeks and beyond?”

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that the administration is adopting a prudent stance.

“We won't be making any immediate movements… in the meantime, we will ensure that our military is always prepared at the commander's disposal,” she affirmed.

She directed operational details to the Pentagon but emphasized that U.S. forces will remain stationed as negotiations advance.

This approach reflects the administration's apprehensions that the ceasefire may collapse, especially given ongoing regional tensions and ambiguity regarding Iran’s internal leadership.

“This is a delicate truce. Ceasefires are inherently unstable,” Leavitt cautioned, suggesting that disruptions could occur in the coming days.

The ceasefire, which follows 38 days of U.S. military operations against Iran, has created a two-week diplomatic opportunity aimed at achieving a more sustainable agreement.

Nevertheless, Washington has stressed that military readiness is integral to its strategy, serving both as a deterrent and a negotiating tool.

The White House contends that the sustained military pressure compelled Iran to agree to the ceasefire.

“The President's maximum pressure approach, coupled with the success of Operation Epic Fury, led the Iranian regime to request and ultimately accept a ceasefire proposal,” Leavitt explained.

Simultaneously, officials recognized that the effects of U.S. strikes on Iran could complicate the initial stages of the ceasefire.

A reporter raised concerns regarding reports of renewed activities in Iran, including explosions and air defense activations in various cities.

Leavitt noted that she had not yet verified those reports but highlighted a broader concern.

“One consequence of Operation Epic Fury was the complete dismantling of Iran's command and control center, complicating their ability to communicate effectively,” she stated.

This disruption, she suggested, might hinder Iran’s capacity to ensure compliance with the ceasefire, at least in the immediate term.

The administration has also indicated that many of Iran's remaining leaders are operating under limitations following the strikes, further complicating internal coordination.

In addition to military ramifications, questions were raised about the political implications within Iran, especially regarding whether the conflict has resulted in increased freedoms for its citizens.

When directly asked if “regime change has resulted in greater freedoms for the Iranian populace,” Leavitt remarked that it is too soon to draw conclusions.

“I think that question is being asked prematurely… It's something that remains to be seen,” she concluded.