White House struggles to prop up truce marked by confusion, contradictions
By Isaac Arnsdorf0%
4/9/2026, 9:00:39 AM
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White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt defended President Donald Trump’s threat to wipe out “a whole civilization” as “a very strong threat that led to results” — specifically, Iran’s agreement to open the Strait of Hormuz.
As the Trump administration claimed success, Tehran disputed the terms, shipping through the Strait of Hormuz remained stalled, and new questions emerged.
The White House struggled Wednesday to prop up a fragile truce with Iran marked by confusion and contradictions, as Tehran disputed the terms of the ceasefire and shipping through the Strait of Hormuz remained stalled.
President Donald Trump’s threat to wipe out “a whole civilization” if Iran did not agree to a ceasefire had led to results, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said.
But Iranian officials said the terms were different from what the U.S. was claiming, and commercial shipping through the vital waterway remained stalled.
The conflicting reports highlighted the challenges facing the administration as it tries to sell the deal as a success amid growing questions about its terms and implementation.
Iranian officials said the ceasefire did not include an end to uranium enrichment, which the United States had demanded.
Tehran also said it would not allow international inspectors into its nuclear facilities, another key U.S. demand.
The White House said Iran had agreed to both demands, but provided no evidence.
Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, which carries about 20 percent of the world’s oil, remained stalled Wednesday, according to maritime tracking data.
Tankers were idling off the coast of Oman, waiting for confirmation that the strait was safe to transit.
The administration's claim of success came as new questions emerged about the role of international mediators in the ceasefire negotiations.
The White House said the deal was negotiated directly with Iran, but Qatari officials said they had played a key role in facilitating talks.
The confusion underscored the challenges facing the administration as it tries to end a war that has cost thousands of lives and billions of dollars.
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