Press secretary Karoline Leavitt pushed back Monday on questions about President Donald Trump’s latest warning to Iran, after an NBC correspondent raised concerns about whether the threat could amount to a violation of international law.
Earlier that day, Trump wrote on Truth Social that the U.S. could “completely obliterate” a range of Iranian targets if the Strait of Hormuz is not reopened. During the White House briefing, NBC’s Garrett Haake asked whether that language implied possible strikes on civilian infrastructure.
He cited Trump’s mention of electric plants, oil facilities, Kharg Island, and potentially desalination sites, noting that international law generally prohibits targeting civilian infrastructure. Haake pressed Leavitt on how the administration reconciles that with its position that the U.S. does not target civilians.
Leavitt didn’t engage directly with the legal framing. Instead, she said Trump’s message was meant to signal pressure on Iran to reach a deal.
🚨 BREAKING: Karoline Leavitt EXPOSES reporter claiming President Trump has threatened to commit “war crimes” on Iran
“I’m sure some ‘EXPERTS’ are telling you in your ear to try to ask me that question!” 🤣🔥 pic.twitter.com/QaECMLQ2zR
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) March 30, 2026
“The president has made it clear to the Iranian regime that their best move is to make a deal,” she said, adding that the U.S. military has capabilities “beyond their wildest imagination” and that Trump is willing to use them.
When Haake followed up, asking whether that included “potential war crimes,” Leavitt rejected the premise.
“That’s not what I said,” she responded, adding that the use of the word “potential” suggested the question was being shaped by outside commentary. She maintained that U.S. forces would operate within the law.
At the same time, she said Trump intends to continue pursuing the goals of what she referred to as Operation Epic Fury and expects Iran to come to the negotiating table.
Haake attempted to ask another question as the exchange ended, but it went unanswered.
In his post, Trump also said the U.S. is in “serious discussions” with what he described as a “new, and more reasonable” Iranian regime, claiming progress toward ending the conflict. He added that if a deal is not reached and the Strait of Hormuz remains closed, the U.S. would escalate by targeting key infrastructure, which he said had so far been left untouched.
