Karoline Leavitt Shuts Down Reporter, Defends Trump’s Iran Threats in Fiery White House Press Briefing

On Monday, March 30, President Donald Trump warned that he might decide to bomb Iran's civilian infrastructure before withdrawing military forces to end the war in the Middle East.

The comments drew criticism from many American citizens, who felt that such threats might actually worsen the situation. During a press briefing on Tuesday, March 31, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt was confronted by NBC's Garrett Haake over Trump's Iran threats but avoided it and hushed the journalist.

Before the press briefing, Donald Trump posted on Truth Social that the United States and Iran's new regime are holding serious discussions to end the war in Iran. He assured great progress has been made, but warned of dire consequences if they fail to agree on reopening the Strait of Hormuz.

Trump threatened, "We will conclude our lovely 'stay' in Iran by blowing up and completely obliterating all of their Electric Generating Plants, Oil Wells and Kharg Island (and possibly all desalinization plants!), which we have purposefully not yet 'touched'." He emphasized this would retaliate for their soldiers' deaths during the military campaign and the regime's 47-year tyranny.

During the White House press briefing, Garrett Haake, NBC's Senior White House Correspondent, questioned Karoline Leavitt about Donald Trump's Truth Social post. He mentioned that Trump had threatened to blow up Tehran's civilian infrastructure.

Haake stated that under international law, such attacks could constitute a "war crime with the U.S. military." He asked Leavitt's views on aligning with the administration's prior comments against targeting civilians.

The White House Press Secretary defended President Trump’s statement, noting he had made his intentions clear regarding the Iranian regime. She highlighted that the Truth Social post also conveyed Trump’s sentiments, urging Iran to make a deal.

She stated, “The United States Armed Forces has capabilities beyond their wildest imagination and the President is not afraid to use them.” When Haake interjected, “Including potential war crimes?,” Leavitt accused him of twisting her words, pointing out his use of the word “potential,” and affirming that the U.S. military will “always act within the confines of the law.”

Leavitt added that the president and his administration would achieve Operation Epic Fury’s success while staying lawful. Haake attempted a follow-up, but she ignored him and called on another reporter.

According to a separate CNN report, experts warned that Trump’s threat to destroy Iran’s civilian infrastructure could backfire severely. They argued that attacking such sites would constitute a war crime under international law.

David Michel, a CSIS senior water security official, called strikes on electric and oil plants a “provocative escalation.” Doha Institute professor Laurent Lambert deemed desalination plant strikes “illegal” and war crimes.

Gulf states face acute risks due to limited water storage of just weeks. Amnesty International stated the attacks’ severity would harm civilians, breaching international humanitarian law.