00:03Yes, so I saw some reporting again bad reporting this morning that we had
00:07formally requested an extension of the ceasefire. That is not true at this
00:11moment. We've remained very much engaged in these negotiation in these talks. You
00:16heard from the vice president directly and the president this week that these
00:20conversations are productive and ongoing and that's where we are right now. I've
00:23also seen some reporting about the potentiality for in-person discussions
00:27again. Those discussions are being had but nothing is official until you hear
00:32it from us here at the White House. But we feel good about the prospects of a deal.
00:36The president mentioned that in his interview yesterday and it's obviously
00:39in the best interest of Iran to meet the president's demands. I think he's made
00:43his red lines in these negotiations very clear to the other side and so we are
00:48continuing to see how these conversations go.
00:51Would those talks be in Islamabad or where would they be the next round?
00:55Ms. They would very likely be in the same place as they were last time, yes. With the
00:59same, I would just want to make one point that's important to the president. The
01:03Pakistanis have been incredible mediators throughout this process and we really
01:07appreciate their friendship and their efforts to bring this deal to a close. So
01:11they are the only mediator in this negotiation. While there have been many
01:15countries around the world who want to offer their help, the president feels it's
01:19important to continue to streamline this communication through the Pakistanis and so
01:23that's what continues to take place.
01:25On Iran, is there a timeline for how long this blockade is going to remain in place
01:31in the strength of hormones by the United States that President Trump has voiced to
01:35you or that you've heard among officials?
01:37Ms. Sure. I will never set timelines on behalf of the president of the United
01:41States but with respect to the blockade, as you know it has been fully
01:45implemented and it's being enforced against vessels of all nations entering or
01:50departing Iranian ports. I want to make that point clear. I've seen some
01:53misreporting on that as well. This includes all Iranian ports on the Arabian
01:58Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. And our US forces in the region are supporting the
02:02freedom of navigation for vessels that are transiting the strait to and from
02:06non-Iranian ports. So I know some in the press were confused about that. We are
02:10supporting the freedom of navigation, just not with respect to any tanker or
02:15vessel that would benefit the economy of Iran as these negotiations continue.
02:46Thank you so much for joining us today.
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