The White House said on Thursday that US President Donald Trump remains open to diplomacy with Iran despite renewed military hostilities, as US forces launched a fifth consecutive night of strikes against Iranian targets.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Washington was continuing talks with Tehran even as the United States pressed ahead with military operations aimed at curbing Iran’s ability to threaten shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.

“The president will hold them accountable when they turn their back on the words that they state to the United States. But he is always open to diplomacy at the very same time,” Leavitt told reporters.

“They have expressed they still want to make a deal to the president. We’re talking to them, but again, the president is not going to allow them to fire on ships in the Strait without paying a consequence for that.”

Her remarks came a day after Trump thanked Iran for releasing Dena Karari, a US-Iranian citizen detained since December 2024, describing the move as a gesture of goodwill. The release was seen as a potential opening for diplomacy.

However, tensions have escalated sharply since then. A fragile ceasefire reached in June has come under increasing strain after the United States resumed strikes on Iranian targets in recent days.

Trump has warned that Washington could expand its military campaign to target Iran’s power plants and bridges unless Tehran returns to negotiations.

Meanwhile, the US military said its forces launched fresh strikes against Iran on Thursday evening.

US Central Command (CENTCOM) said the operation began at 1800 GMT and was intended to “further degrade Iranian military capabilities.”

The latest operation marked the fifth consecutive night of US strikes, underscoring the rapid deterioration in relations between Washington and Tehran despite continued diplomatic contacts.

Iranian media earlier reported that US strikes targeted areas near Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz and the port city of Bandar Abbas. Tehran has warned it will target infrastructure across the region if Washington broadens its military campaign.

— With input from AFP