WASHINGTON, April 15 (Reuters) – Reports that ⁠the ⁠White House has requested ⁠a ceasefire in the Iran war are ​wrong, press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters on Wednesday but added ‌that discussions about a ‌second round of talks with the Iranians were ⁠ongoing and ⁠productive.

Speaking at a White House press briefing, Leavitt said ​any fresh talks would likely be in Pakistan again as it has emerged as the “only mediator” in the effort to end ​the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran.

“These conversations are productive and ⁠ongoing, and ⁠that’s where we are ⁠right ​now. I’ve also seen some reporting about the potentiality for ​in-person discussions. Again, ⁠those discussions are being had, but nothing is official until you hear it from us here at the White House, but we feel good about the prospects of ⁠a deal,” Leavitt said.

The talks last weekend broke down without an ⁠agreement to end the war, which President Donald Trump began alongside Israel on February 28, triggering Iranian attacks on Iran’s Gulf neighbors and reigniting a conflict between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon.

The war has led Iran to effectively shut the Strait of Hormuz – a vital artery for global crude and ⁠gas shipments – to ships other than its own, sharply reducing exports from the Gulf, particularly to Asia and Europe, and leaving energy importers scrambling for alternative ​supplies.

(Reporting by Steve Holland and Humeyra Pamuk;Editing by ​David Ljunggren and Caitlin Webber)

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