US President Donald Trump on Monday threatened to strike Iran’s power plants, oil wells, and possibly water desalination facilities if a deal is not reached soon, while insisting that diplomatic talks are ongoing.

Trump’s warning came during a White House briefing by Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, who said the US has already hit more than 11,000 military targets in Iran, including naval and ballistic missile infrastructure. She added that diplomacy remains Trump’s first choice but warned that military options remain ready if Iran refuses a deal.

Leavitt said private talks with Iranian officials are progressing, despite Iran publicly denying negotiations. She described the Iranians the US is engaging with as “more reasonable behind the scenes” than previous leaders.

The White House confirmed that a 10-day pause has been issued to postpone planned strikes on Iran’s energy infrastructure. Leavitt said the pause gives Iran a “once in a generation” chance to reach an agreement.

On the military front, Leavitt said the US has crippled Iran’s navy, destroyed more than 150 vessels, and reduced missile and drone attacks by about 90 percent. She added that core objectives include dismantling Iran’s defense infrastructure and preventing nuclear weapon development, while reopening the Strait of Hormuz remains a priority.

Regarding ground troops, Leavitt said Trump has “declined to rule out” a boots-on-the-ground operation in Iran, but no final decision has been made. She emphasized that any action would follow US law and respect Congress.

Meanwhile, the conflict has affected global energy markets, with oil prices reaching $115 per barrel and petrol prices rising in the UK.

With inputs from BBC