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Karoline Leavitt: “The Secretary designated Iran as a state sponsor of wrongful…”

Featuring: Karoline Leavitt, Republican | White House Press Secretary | National

Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt Briefs Members of the Media, Mar. 4, 2026

Published March 4, 2026 | Video Starts at 35:05

On March 2, the State Department urged U.S. citizens to depart Lebanon immediately. With respect to Iran, on February 27, The Secretary designated Iran as a state sponsor of wrongful detention. and and stated no American should travel to Iran for any reason. And again on February 27, the US Ambassador to Israel warned Americans to leave Iran and they provided travel advisory alerts through the US Embassy in Jerusalem. (35:05–35:16)

CLAIM

Asserts that Iran was designated as a state sponsor of wrongful detention by the Secretary.

This is an excerpt from a raw transcript. The assertions have not been audited or verified. Tap the video to view the source footage and understand the context.

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Karoline Leavitt

“We have destroyed more than 20 Iranian ships, including their top submarine last night using a torpedo.”
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt Briefs Members of the Media, Mar. 4, 2026 | Uploaded March 4, 2026 | 22:24-22:32
“For the first time Since World War II, there is not a single Iranian ship underway in the Arabian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz or, or the Gulf of…”
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt Briefs Members of the Media, Mar. 4, 2026 | Uploaded March 4, 2026 | 22:31-22:41
“American forces have struck more than 2,000 targets, destroying hundreds and hundreds of ballistic missiles, launchers and drones.”
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt Briefs Members of the Media, Mar. 4, 2026 | Uploaded March 4, 2026 | 23:08-23:16
“Operation Midnight Hammer... obliterated Iran's three major nuclear sites.”
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt Briefs Members of the Media, Mar. 4, 2026 | Uploaded March 4, 2026 | 23:41-23:48
“49 and counting of the most senior Iranian regime leaders, including the Supreme Leader, have already been wiped off the face of the earth.”
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt Briefs Members of the Media, Mar. 4, 2026 | Uploaded March 4, 2026 | 26:58-27:07
“Iranian ballistic missile launches are down 86% from day one levels.”
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt Briefs Members of the Media, Mar. 4, 2026 | Uploaded March 4, 2026 | 42:02-42:09
“The rogue Iranian terrorist regime is being absolutely crushed.”
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt Briefs Members of the Media, Mar. 4, 2026 | Uploaded March 4, 2026 | 20:14-20:19
“47 years of tolerating and enabling the world's leading state sponsor of terrorism are over.”
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt Briefs Members of the Media, Mar. 4, 2026 | Uploaded March 4, 2026 | 20:19-20:26
“Iran's murderous terrorist leaders are paying for their crimes against America and they are paying in blood.”
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt Briefs Members of the Media, Mar. 4, 2026 | Uploaded March 4, 2026 | 20:26-20:33
“Since 1979, the terrorist Iranian regime has actively and intentionally facilitated the killings of Americans.”
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt Briefs Members of the Media, Mar. 4, 2026 | Uploaded March 4, 2026 | 20:33-20:42
“Iran is the world's leading state sponsor of terrorism.”
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt Briefs Members of the Media, Mar. 4, 2026 | Uploaded March 4, 2026 | 20:33-20:42
“They chant Death to America and fund other radical terrorists who attack our country and are seeking to destroy Western civilization itself.”
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt Briefs Members of the Media, Mar. 4, 2026 | Uploaded March 4, 2026 | 20:41-20:53
“These terrorists seized our Embassy and took 66 Americans hostage in Tehran.”
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt Briefs Members of the Media, Mar. 4, 2026 | Uploaded March 4, 2026 | 20:52-20:58
“Prior leaders have been too weak and ineffective to address [the Iranian] threat.”
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt Briefs Members of the Media, Mar. 4, 2026 | Uploaded March 4, 2026 | 21:11-21:16
“Barack Hussein Obama... sent pallets of cash that ultimately financed [Iran's] terrorist crusade against the United States.”
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt Briefs Members of the Media, Mar. 4, 2026 | Uploaded March 4, 2026 | 21:17-21:33
“President Trump is holding [Iranian leaders] accountable and permanently extinguishing their nuclear ambitions.”
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt Briefs Members of the Media, Mar. 4, 2026 | Uploaded March 4, 2026 | 21:44-21:51
“Operation Epic Fury... destroy the regime's deadly ballistic missiles and completely raze their missile industry to the ground.”
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt Briefs Members of the Media, Mar. 4, 2026 | Uploaded March 4, 2026 | 22:01-22:20
“Operation Epic Fury will ensure the regime's terrorist proxies... can no longer destabilize the region or the free world.”
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt Briefs Members of the Media, Mar. 4, 2026 | Uploaded March 4, 2026 | 22:42-22:50
“We expect to have complete and total dominance over Iranian airspace in the coming hours.”
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt Briefs Members of the Media, Mar. 4, 2026 | Uploaded March 4, 2026 | 23:18-23:24
“Iran has pursued this path of war and violence, despite President Trump dispatching... negotiators... to try and reach a deal.”
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt Briefs Members of the Media, Mar. 4, 2026 | Uploaded March 4, 2026 | 23:55-24:09
“The terrorist Iranian regime refused to negotiate in good faith.”
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt Briefs Members of the Media, Mar. 4, 2026 | Uploaded March 4, 2026 | 24:21-24:26
“Iran was rapidly and aggressively building up their ballistic missile program.”
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt Briefs Members of the Media, Mar. 4, 2026 | Uploaded March 4, 2026 | 24:40-24:54
“US Negotiators offered to lift crippling sanctions on Iran and even provide nuclear fuel to Iran at no cost.”
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt Briefs Members of the Media, Mar. 4, 2026 | Uploaded March 4, 2026 | 24:54-25:01
“Iran rejected the path of peace because the terrorist in charge... wanted to build nuclear weapons.”
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt Briefs Members of the Media, Mar. 4, 2026 | Uploaded March 4, 2026 | 25:47-25:54
“Many of [the Arab partners] commending [President Trump] for this bold and brave action to protect American troops and our bases.”
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt Briefs Members of the Media, Mar. 4, 2026 | Uploaded March 4, 2026 | 26:30-30:55
“The Trump administration is also doing everything within our power to protect Americans in harm's way.”
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt Briefs Members of the Media, Mar. 4, 2026 | Uploaded March 4, 2026 | 27:58-28:04
“Since the launch of Operation Epic Fury, more than 17,500 Americans have safely returned home from the Middle East.”
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt Briefs Members of the Media, Mar. 4, 2026 | Uploaded March 4, 2026 | 28:03-28:18
“Over 8,500 American citizens [returned] home to the United States just yesterday alone.”
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt Briefs Members of the Media, Mar. 4, 2026 | Uploaded March 4, 2026 | 28:03-28:18
“The administration is already rapidly chartering flights free of charge and booking commercial options.”
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt Briefs Members of the Media, Mar. 4, 2026 | Uploaded March 4, 2026 | 28:35-28:41
“The Trump administration will not rest until every American is home safely and until the terrorist threat from Iran has been completely…”
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt Briefs Members of the Media, Mar. 4, 2026 | Uploaded March 4, 2026 | 29:00-29:10
“The objectives of Operation Epic Fury are... to destroy Iran's navy, to destroy their ballistic missile capacity, to ensure their proxies…”
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt Briefs Members of the Media, Mar. 4, 2026 | Uploaded March 4, 2026 | 29:42-30:00
“The greatest deterrent to true and long-lasting peace in the Middle East has always been the rogue Iranian terrorist regime.”
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt Briefs Members of the Media, Mar. 4, 2026 | Uploaded March 4, 2026 | 30:26-30:36
“The president prior to that phone call, had a good feeling that the Iranian regime was going to strike United States assets and our…”
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt Briefs Members of the Media, Mar. 4, 2026 | Uploaded March 4, 2026 | 31:34-31:43
“This is a rogue terrorist regime that has been threatening the United States, our allies and our people for 47 years.”
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt Briefs Members of the Media, Mar. 4, 2026 | Uploaded March 4, 2026 | 32:48-32:57
“The president tried peace through diplomacy exhaustively and extensively.”
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt Briefs Members of the Media, Mar. 4, 2026 | Uploaded March 4, 2026 | 33:16-33:21
“The Secretary of State issued Level 4 travel advisories dating back to January for many of these countries in the region.”
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt Briefs Members of the Media, Mar. 4, 2026 | Uploaded March 4, 2026 | 34:18-34:27
“The US Ambassador to Israel warned Americans to leave Iran and they provided travel advisory alerts through the US Embassy in Jerusalem.”
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt Briefs Members of the Media, Mar. 4, 2026 | Uploaded March 4, 2026 | 35:18-35:27
“The State Department is asking [Americans in the region] to register at the website so they can directly identify you.”
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt Briefs Members of the Media, Mar. 4, 2026 | Uploaded March 4, 2026 | 35:37-35:43
“We are actively and rapidly working to charter flights [for Americans in the region].”
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt Briefs Members of the Media, Mar. 4, 2026 | Uploaded March 4, 2026 | 35:42-35:47
“President Trump announced the U.S. Development Finance Corporation will provide political risk insurance for crude carriers and cargo ships.”
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt Briefs Members of the Media, Mar. 4, 2026 | Uploaded March 4, 2026 | 37:26-37:38
“The US Navy will begin escorting tankers through the Strait of Hormuz if necessary and when appropriate.”
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt Briefs Members of the Media, Mar. 4, 2026 | Uploaded March 4, 2026 | 37:37-37:47
“Iran will no longer be controlling the Strait of Hormuz and restricting the free flow of energy.”
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt Briefs Members of the Media, Mar. 4, 2026 | Uploaded March 4, 2026 | 37:56-38:03
“We actually have identified the number of people in the region who have requested help.”
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt Briefs Members of the Media, Mar. 4, 2026 | Uploaded March 4, 2026 | 38:53-38:59
“The line was updated and I expect every single person in this room to report on that accurately.”
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt Briefs Members of the Media, Mar. 4, 2026 | Uploaded March 4, 2026 | 39:23-39:29
“Operation Epic Fury aims to eliminate Iran's ballistic missile threat, destroy their naval capability, disrupt missile and drone production…”
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt Briefs Members of the Media, Mar. 4, 2026 | Uploaded March 4, 2026 | 41:05-41:21
“We've had more than 2,000 targets that have been struck. Nearly 2,000 munitions have been employed.”
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt Briefs Members of the Media, Mar. 4, 2026 | Uploaded March 4, 2026 | 41:36-41:44
“Under this president, we have significantly increased our defense budget.”
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt Briefs Members of the Media, Mar. 4, 2026 | Uploaded March 4, 2026 | 43:50-43:54
“The United States of America has more than enough capability to successfully execute Operation Epic Fury.”
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt Briefs Members of the Media, Mar. 4, 2026 | Uploaded March 4, 2026 | 43:58-44:11
“We have weapons stockpiles in places that many people in this world don't even know about.”
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt Briefs Members of the Media, Mar. 4, 2026 | Uploaded March 4, 2026 | 44:10-44:16
“We had a very stupid and incompetent leader in this White House for four years who gave away many of our best weapons for nothing, for free…”
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt Briefs Members of the Media, Mar. 4, 2026 | Uploaded March 4, 2026 | 44:18-44:30
“President Trump has rightfully been calling on defense contractors in this country to rapidly and aggressively produce American made…”
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt Briefs Members of the Media, Mar. 4, 2026 | Uploaded March 4, 2026 | 44:37-44:46
“The SAVE act is absolutely still a priority for this president and the administration.”
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt Briefs Members of the Media, Mar. 4, 2026 | Uploaded March 4, 2026 | 46:31-46:36
“The President announced steps to ensure the stability in global energy markets.”
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt Briefs Members of the Media, Mar. 4, 2026 | Uploaded March 4, 2026 | 50:18-50:23
“The United States Navy will provide assistance to escort oil tankers through the strait.”
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt Briefs Members of the Media, Mar. 4, 2026 | Uploaded March 4, 2026 | 51:21-51:25
“Iran does pose an imminent indirect threat to the United States of America.”
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt Briefs Members of the Media, Mar. 4, 2026 | Uploaded March 4, 2026 | 53:58-54:35
“Iran was going to strike the United States, was going to strike our assets in the region.”
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt Briefs Members of the Media, Mar. 4, 2026 | Uploaded March 4, 2026 | 54:58-55:02
“The determination was made that the president was going to strike first alongside Israel.”
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt Briefs Members of the Media, Mar. 4, 2026 | Uploaded March 4, 2026 | 55:27-55:33
“The United States military will be raining missiles and weapons down on Iran to hit these specific targets that have been identified as…”
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt Briefs Members of the Media, Mar. 4, 2026 | Uploaded March 4, 2026 | 56:18-56:30
“The Department of War and the United States Armed Forces do not target civilians, as does the Iranian regime, who kill and execute their own…”
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt Briefs Members of the Media, Mar. 4, 2026 | Uploaded March 4, 2026 | 1:00:03-1:00:12
“The President has been in pretty direct correspondence and public correspondence with defense contractors asking them to aggressively speed…”
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt Briefs Members of the Media, Mar. 4, 2026 | Uploaded March 4, 2026 | 1:00:31-1:00:44
“On March 3, Ecuadorian and US military forces launched operations against designated terrorist organizations.”
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt Briefs Members of the Media, Mar. 4, 2026 | Uploaded March 4, 2026 | 1:00:49-1:00:56
“This weekend I'm pleased to announce the President will welcome the heads of state from 12 nations across our Western hemisphere in Miami…”
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt Briefs Members of the Media, Mar. 4, 2026 | Uploaded March 4, 2026 | 1:01:15-1:01:24