US President Donald Trump has announced that White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt will leave her position by the end of August, saying she wants to spend more time with her family following the birth of her daughter.

Trump made the announcement on Wednesday through a post on Truth Social, praising the 28-year-old official and saying she would continue to remain close to his administration as one of his top outside advisers.

Leavitt separately confirmed her departure, describing the decision as “bittersweet” and saying the demanding nature of the press secretary's job had made it difficult for her to balance her responsibilities at the White House with motherhood.

Leavitt Cites Family Responsibilities

Leavitt said that after returning to the White House following the birth of her daughter Viviana in May, she realised she could not give both her children the time and attention they deserved while continuing in one of the administration's most demanding positions.

She said the decision was ultimately driven by her desire to be a better mother to her two young children.

Her departure will bring an end to a high-profile tenure during which she became one of the most recognisable members of Trump's communications team.

Trump said Leavitt would now serve as one of his key advisers outside the White House.

Youngest Press Secretary

Leavitt became the youngest person to serve as White House press secretary when Trump returned to office in January 2025.

She was 27 when she assumed the position, surpassing the previous record associated with Ronald Ziegler, who was 29 when he served as press secretary to President Richard Nixon.

Leavitt had already worked with Trump during his first presidency, serving as a press aide.

She later entered electoral politics and ran as the Republican candidate for New Hampshire's First Congressional District in 2022, but lost the election.

She subsequently joined Trump's 2024 presidential campaign and became part of his transition team before being selected as White House press secretary.

Frequent Exchanges With Media

Leavitt's tenure at the White House briefing room podium was marked by frequent confrontations with journalists.

She became known for aggressively defending Trump's policies and challenging reporters over questions involving the administration.

Her statements also attracted scrutiny from fact-checkers. Among the claims that drew criticism was her assertion that tariffs amounted to a tax cut for Americans, a statement that was rated false by PolitiFact.

Despite the controversies, Trump repeatedly praised her communication skills and performance as his chief spokesperson.

In one of his earlier comments, he described her as an effective communicator and publicly praised her prominence within his administration.

Departure Comes During Difficult Period

Leavitt's exit comes at a politically challenging time for the Trump administration.

Trump's approval ratings have faced pressure in recent surveys, with voters expressing concerns about rising prices and the economic consequences of the ongoing conflict involving Iran.

The White House press secretary has therefore been operating at a time when the administration has faced intense questioning over foreign policy, economic conditions and domestic political issues.

Leavitt's departure will mean the White House will have to appoint a new public face for its daily interaction with journalists.

Trump's announcement did not immediately identify her successor.

Trump Praises Leavitt

Trump's announcement was notably positive toward Leavitt despite her decision to leave the administration.

He praised her service and said she would remain part of his broader political team as an outside adviser.

The president has frequently highlighted Leavitt's loyalty and ability to defend his administration during difficult exchanges with the media.

Her decision, however, appears to be primarily driven by family considerations following the birth of her second child.

Who Will Replace Her?

The White House has not yet announced who will succeed Leavitt as press secretary.

During Trump's first presidential term, the White House went through four press secretaries — Sean Spicer, Sarah Huckabee Sanders, Stephanie Grisham and Kayleigh McEnany.

The next appointment will be closely watched as the administration prepares for another phase of its presidency amid political and economic challenges.

For now, Leavitt is expected to remain in the role through the end of August before beginning what she described as a new chapter in her life.

US President Donald Trump has issued one of his strongest warnings yet to Iran, declaring that the United States is prepared to launch a massive military response if Tehran attempts to assassinate him. In a post on his social media platform, Truth Social, Trump claimed that retaliation orders have already been issued and that "1,000 missiles" are aimed at Iran, with thousands more ready to be launched if such an attack occurs.

The remarks come amid heightened tensions between Washington and Tehran following recent military exchanges, diplomatic negotiations and continued concerns over security in the Middle East. Trump's statement has further intensified speculation over the future of US-Iran relations even as diplomatic channels remain active.

Trump Issues Stark Warning

In his social media post, Trump said the United States has already prepared contingency plans in case Iran targets him. He warned that Iran would be "completely destroyed" if an assassination attempt were carried out.

The comments reflect ongoing concerns within US security agencies over alleged Iranian threats against Trump, stemming from the 2020 US drone strike that killed Iranian military commander Major General Qassem Soleimani near Baghdad International Airport.

Military Movements Raise Questions

Amid the heightened rhetoric, Israeli media outlet Kan News reported that the United States has begun withdrawing 12 F-22 Raptor stealth fighter jets from Israel. The aircraft had reportedly been stationed at Ovda Airbase since February and were involved in operations linked to Iran.

While the report has attracted international attention, US officials have not officially confirmed the withdrawal.

Diplomatic Talks Continue

Despite the sharp exchange of statements, diplomatic engagement between Washington and Tehran has not completely broken down.

US officials have indicated that technical-level discussions with Iran are expected to continue in an effort to preserve the broader understanding reached last month. However, no date has been announced for the next round of negotiations.

Iran has maintained that it continues to honour its commitments under the existing memorandum of understanding, while accusing Washington of violating previous agreements through military actions and sanctions.

Hormuz Remains a Key Flashpoint

The Strait of Hormuz remains central to the ongoing dispute. The United States has demanded that Iran publicly guarantee unrestricted passage for commercial vessels through the strategic waterway.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi travelled to Oman on Saturday for consultations regarding maritime security and navigation through the Strait of Hormuz. Oman has continued to play a mediating role between Washington and Tehran.

Meanwhile, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) has rejected Iranian claims of controlling shipping through the Strait, stating that hundreds of commercial vessels carrying millions of barrels of crude oil have safely passed through the corridor.

Regional Concerns Persist

The latest developments come as tensions continue across the region. Israel has reportedly carried out fresh military operations in southern Lebanon, while Iran has warned of a strong response to any future attacks on its strategic facilities.

Russia has criticised Western powers at the United Nations over support for recent US and Israeli military operations, while Qatar has urged all sides to continue negotiations and avoid further escalation.

The International Energy Agency (IEA) has also warned that any renewed confrontation between the United States and Iran could disrupt global oil supplies and increase volatility in international energy markets.

With military preparedness and diplomatic engagement unfolding simultaneously, the situation remains highly fluid as global powers closely monitor developments across the Middle East.

US President Donald Trump has struck a patient posture on negotiations with Iran, saying he is in “no hurry” to finalise any agreement, even as Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claimed it shot down a US military drone that allegedly entered Iranian territory.

The downing claim, reported by Iran’s Tasnim news agency on Sunday, adds a fresh layer of tension to already fragile diplomacy.

Drone Downing Claim

The IRGC said its air defence unit identified and targeted a US MQ-1 drone that intruded into Iranian airspace. According to the statement, the drone was shot down using advanced missile systems. Iran alleged the unmanned aircraft belonged to the US military and was attempting a “hostile operation”.

There was no immediate confirmation or response from US Central Command on the claim.

Trump’s Patient Stance

Speaking to Fox News, Trump made it clear he is not rushing toward a deal. He said the US would either make a “great deal” or “just go back and finish it off military”. He expressed preference for a negotiated outcome, saying it would “save a lot of lives” and allow the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz “immediately upon signing”.

“It takes a long time. I’m in no hurry,” Trump said. “If you’re gonna be in a hurry, you’re not gonna make a good deal. And slowly but surely, we’re getting, I think, what we want.”

He described Iran’s leadership as “very tough negotiators”.

Three Sticking Points

Diplomatic efforts continue through Pakistani mediators and other regional actors. But Iranian officials say several major hurdles remain before any agreement can be finalised.

First, Tehran wants its frozen assets returned immediately upon any deal announcement. Washington prefers a gradual, performance-based process.

Second, Iran has reframed its demand for financial compensation into what it calls a “construction fund” worth approximately $300 billion. The US has not committed to this.

Third, Iran is seeking sanctions relief, particularly on its oil and petrochemicals sector, while negotiations are still underway. Again, Washington has given no indication of agreement on this front.

Iran maintains the deal is not yet finalised, contrary to what the US has been signalling publicly.

Revised Conditions

According to a New York Times report, Trump has sent a revised proposal to Tehran with further tightened conditions. The report did not specify the changes, but sources indicate stricter terms related to Iran’s nuclear programme, enriched uranium stockpiles, and the strategic Strait of Hormuz.

Trump separately claimed that Iran has agreed not to make or buy nuclear weapons. “First, Iran agreed not to make nuclear weapons. Then I asked them if they would buy them, and they also agreed,” he said in an interview.

Regional Tensions Escalate

Meanwhile, violence has intensified along Israel’s northern front. Israeli forces have launched what they described as a “large-scale operation” in southern Lebanon’s Shebaa Heights and Wadi al-Salouqi area. Several people have been killed in Israeli air attacks on the town of Deir ez-Zahrani, according to Lebanon’s National News Agency.

An Israeli soldier was also killed in battle in southern Lebanon on Saturday, the Israeli military confirmed.

As diplomacy drags on in the Iran case, the wider region remains on edge. Trump’s patient approach may buy time for negotiations, but with military posturing on both sides and a drone downing claim now on the table, the margin for error appears slim.