Washington DC, July 16 -- The White House on Thursday (local time) said Iran continues to engage in talks with the United States and has expressed its willingness to reach an agreement with Washington, even as US forces have carried out multiple rounds of strikes against Iranian targets in recent days.

Responding to a question during a press briefing on whether negotiations with Tehran were at a standstill following nearly a week of US military action on Tehran, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Iran remains in contact with the United States, despite the strikes.

"Iran very much continues to talk to the United States of America and express that they want to make a deal with us because they are suffering devastating blows...