White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said on Monday that several former Iranian leaders are no longer alive because of U.S. military actions. She linked their deaths to failed negotiations and dishonesty toward the U.S. These comments were made during a briefing on March 30, 2026, as the administration continues large-scale combat operations against Iran while also trying to negotiate with remaining parts of the regime.
When asked about the legitimacy of new Iranian leadership groups, Leavitt said the ongoing talks are being handled carefully, with the threat of force as a key part of the strategy.
“That’s part of the process happening right now with the negotiations. Anything they say privately will be checked, and we will make sure they follow through. If they don’t, the president has made it clear what military consequences the Iranian regime will face if they don’t keep their word,” she explained.
Leavitt: The previous leaders are now no longer on planet Earth because they lied to the United States and they strung us along in negotiations which is unacceptable to the president and which is why many of the previous leaders were killed. pic.twitter.com/F3b314nxXl
— Acyn (@Acyn) March 30, 2026
Leavitt also mentioned that some Iranian figures seem more willing to cooperate in private discussions, but this change comes after the removal of previous leaders.
“When the president says more reasonable, those people are acting more reasonable behind the scenes than some of the previous leaders who are no longer on this planet because they lied to the U.S. and led us on during negotiations. That was unacceptable to the president, which is why many of those leaders were killed.”
These comments come as part of a long-running military effort by the U.S. and Israel that has led to major changes in Iran’s leadership.
Starting in late February, coordinated strikes killed many of Iran’s top officials, including Ali Khamenei, who was killed in an airstrike on February 28, along with key military and intelligence leaders like Mohammad Pakpour and Abdolrahim Mousavi. In the following weeks, more strikes hit senior figures in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, intelligence departments, and national security agencies, resulting in the deaths of over 40 officials.
The high number of deaths has been a key part of what U.S. officials say is the breakdown of the leadership structure that has existed since the Iranian Revolution.
Iranian government systems, including intelligence and military command, have been repeatedly attacked, leading to a fragmented leadership situation. Leavitt acknowledged that it is still unclear who exactly holds power now, noting that part of the diplomatic process involves figuring out “exactly who’s in charge.”
Despite the ongoing military actions, the administration continues to push for negotiations, calling it a key moment for Iran to stop its nuclear ambitions.
Leavitt called it “another historic opportunity for Iran to do the right thing,” while making it clear that without an agreement, military actions will continue. She pointed to daily activities as proof of the ongoing pressure, saying Iranian forces are “continuing to see” the effects of U.S. military operations.
The statements highlight a strategy that combines ongoing military pressure with conditional diplomacy.
While some Iranian representatives have entered talks, U.S. officials have made it clear that any deal will require verification and enforcement, supported by the continued presence and readiness of American forces in the region.
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