-- White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Wednesday that the US had witnessed an uptick in vessel traffic transiting the Strait of Hormuz.
Leavitt made the remarks during a White House press briefing, reiterating Trump's stance on the strait and emphasizing that the ceasefire remains conditional on the reopening of the waterway.
"Privately, we have seen an uptick of traffic in the strait today [Wednesday], and I will reiterate the President's expectation and demand that the Strait of Hormuz is reopened immediately, quickly and safely, that is his expectation, and has been relayed...," Leavitt said.
She said the ceasefire is subject to the "free, safe and immediate reopening" of the Strait of Hormuz, describing the requirement as a central US demand that should be "taken at face value."
Responding to a question on attacks tied to Lebanon and Iran's leverage, Leavitt said reports from Iranian state media were "completely unacceptable," adding that "what they're saying publicly is different" from private communications.
She reiterated that the President expects the immediate reopening of the strait and said public Iranian claims contradict private signals received by the US.
Addressing questions on regional scope, Leavitt said Lebanon is not part of the ceasefire, though its inclusion in future discussions "will continue to be discussed" among relevant parties.
Leavitt said the President is "dispatching a negotiating team" led by Vice President JD Vance, alongside Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, to Islamabad for discussions with Iranian officials over the weekend.
"The first round of those talks will take place on Saturday morning, local time, and we look forward to those in person meetings," she said.
Responding to a question on whether tolls would be charged for ships transiting the strait, Leavitt said "it's an idea the President has floated" and would continue to be discussed over the next two weeks.
However, she stressed that "the immediate priority of the President is the reopening of the strait without any limitations, whether in the form of tolls or otherwise."
On reports of ceasefire violations, Leavitt cautioned that "ceasefires are fragile by nature," noting disruptions to Iran's command structure could delay implementation.
Leavitt also said Trump would discuss Nato membership with Secretary General Mark Rutte during a White House meeting Wednesday.
Asked whether the US is considering withdrawing from Nato, she said, "It's something the President has discussed, and I think it's something the President will be discussing... with the Secretary General, and perhaps you'll hear directly from the President following that meeting later this afternoon."