Tension gripped the White House complex on Sunday after series of gunfire were heard near the presidential compound, forcing journalists to rush into secure shelter areas while heavily armed law enforcement personnel sealed off parts of the zone.

The incident unfolded as US President Donald Trump remained inside the Oval Office amid sensitive negotiations linked to Iran.

The US Secret Service ordered journalists to immediately evacuate their reporting positions on the North Lawn of the White House and move into the press briefing room.

"I was in the middle of taping on my iPhone for a social video from the White House North Lawn when we heard the shots. It sounded like dozens of gunshots. We were told to sprint to the press briefing room where we are holding now," ABC journalist Selina Wang said in a post on X.There were no immediate reports of injuries, and the Metropolitan Police Department had not issued an official statement at the time of publication.