Leavitt says Iran’s inability to send ‘unified message’ proves effectiveness of Operation Epic Fury
WASHINGTON, DC: White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt was interviewed by Fox News host Martha MacCallum on Wednesday, April 22, and they discussed the latest developments in the US-Iran conflict.
During the conversation, Leavitt asserted that the US has the upper hand on Iran as the negotiations continue. She also claimed that Tehran's inability to send a unified message "shows how effective Operation Epic Fury truly was."
LEAVITT: The fact Iran can't send a unified message yet just shows how effective Operation Epic Fury truly was
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) April 22, 2026
FOX NEWS: Yeah. They had one ayatollah for 37 years who seemed to be able to keep a lid on all these disparate groups pic.twitter.com/xKs30VDzK2
MacCallum began the interview by first sharing that she had a phone conversation with President Donald Trump, who on Tuesday extended the US ceasefire with Iran. She noted that the commander-in-chief told her that “there is no time pressure on this ceasefire extension, that the three-to-five-day window that has been reported is, quote, ‘not true.’”
Karoline Leavitt on Trump personally asking Iran not to execute eight women
“He added that the US military blockade, quote, ‘scares the Iranians more than the bombing’, and also said that he personally asked Iran not to execute eight women who were scheduled for hanging and who were charged with protesting in January,” the journalist revealed.
MacCallum further mentioned that Tehran agreed to Trump’s request, and the Republican leader saw it as “a good sign and a good move on their part. Iran reportedly denies that these women were going to be executed.”
Karoline Leavitt confirmed it was because of President Trump that eight Iranian women protestors will have their lives spared.
— Overton (@overton_news) April 22, 2026
It was a news story, which came across his desk and he made a direct plea to the regime.
LEAVITT: “Only President Trump could save the lives of these… pic.twitter.com/EjM0sSV4jk
Following this, the newscaster welcomed Leavitt on the show as she asked her, “I’m curious if this signals that these human rights issues — the hangings and the executions — will be part of a deal that is discussed when they do return to negotiations in the coming days or weeks, or however long it takes?”
Leavitt started her response by praising Trump as she said, “Only President Trump could save the lives of these eight beautiful Iranian women. He has received direct word from the Iranian regime — or what’s left of it — that their lives are going to be spared.”
“And that comes as a result of President Trump asking them directly not to kill these young, beautiful women, who certainly deserve a chance to continue living their lives freely and peacefully. And now that will happen, thanks to President Trump, because he’s a humanitarian at heart,” she claimed.
Karoline Leavitt asserts Iran must 'turn over the enriched uranium' to the US
Leavitt then addressed the ongoing negotiation between Washington and Tehran.
She stated, “With respect to the negotiations that are ongoing, he’s made his red lines very clear. Iran can never obtain a nuclear bomb to threaten the United States and our allies, and they must turn over the enriched uranium that’s in their possession.”
The White House press secretary also noted that the US is now waiting for Iran’s response.
“The fact that they cannot send a unified message yet — which is why the president decided to extend the ceasefire — just shows how effective Operation Epic Fury truly was, because there’s a lot of internal division over there. The president understands that, and so we await their response,” she added.
