(LEAD) White House denies U.S. requested Iran ceasefire extension, says next talks ‘very likely’ in Pakistan

She also struck a positive note on the prospects of a deal with Iran.

“We feel good about the prospects of a deal,” she said, “The president mentioned that in his interview yesterday, and it’s obviously in the best interest of Iran to meet the president’s demands.”

In an interview with Fox News released Wednesday, Trump said that the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran is “very close to over,” repeating his claim that Iran wants to make a deal “very badly.”

Asked about the venue for the next round of talks with Iran, Leavitt said that it is “very likely” to be “the same place” in Pakistan as the previous talks.

“I would just want to make one point that’s important to the president. The Pakistanis have been incredible mediators throughout this process, and we really appreciate their friendship and their efforts to bring this deal to a close,” she said.

“So they are the only mediator in this negotiation. While there have been many countries around the world who want to offer their help, the president feels it’s important to continue to streamline this communication through the Pakistanis.”

With the help of Pakistani mediators, the first round of negotiations between the U.S. and Iran took place for 21 hours in Islamabad over the weekend. But the two sides failed to reach an agreement amid differences over the U.S.’ call to secure an “affirmative” commitment by Tehran not to seek a nuclear weapon.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent joined the press briefing at the White House.

Responding to a question about whether his department was considering additional sanctions relief for countries affected by energy supply disruptions during the war, Bessent said that the U.S. would not renew the “general license” for Iranian and Russian oil.

Last month, the Trump administration issued temporary sanctions waivers to help ease the impact of oil supply disruptions.

He also said that the ongoing U.S. naval blockade of Iranian ports would have an impact on China’s energy imports from Iran, while indicating that two Chinese banks could face secondary sanctions if they are found to have monetary transactions with Iran.

“China was purchasing more than 90 percent of their oil, which is about 8 percent of China’s energy needs. We believe this blockade in the strait … there will be a pause of Chinese buying,” he said.

“But I will tell you that two Chinese banks received letters from the U.S. Treasury … We told them that if we can prove that there is Iranian money flowing through your accounts, then we are willing to put (the banks) under secondary sanctions.”