Trump gets ready to decide on possible Iran strikes

US President Donald Trump announced that he would decide within the next two weeks whether the United States will join Israel in striking Iran, as reported by Al-Monitor via AFP on June 19th.

He noted that a “substantial” chance remains for diplomatic negotiations to resolve the conflict. Trump’s pause offers an opening for diplomacy after days of speculation about potential US military involvement.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt addressed the speculation directly, reading Trump’s statement aloud: “Based on the fact that there’s a substantial chance of negotiations that may or may not take place with Iran in the near future, I will make my decision whether or not to go within the next two weeks.”

Leavitt rejected claims that Trump was delaying the move. “If there’s a chance for diplomacy, the president’s always going to grab it, but he’s not afraid to use strength as well,” she stated. She also stressed the urgency of the situation, warning that Iran could develop a nuclear weapon within weeks. “Iran has all that it needs to achieve a nuclear weapon. All they need is a decision from the supreme leader to do that, and it would take a couple of weeks,” she added.

Iran insists its nuclear programme serves only peaceful purposes, notwithstanding the fact that Iran has reportedly failed to meet nuclear obligations, according to the BBC on June 12th. Trump claimed that Iran had requested to send officials to Washington for nuclear talks, a claim Tehran denies.

Leavitt confirmed ongoing “correspondence” between Iran and the US since Israel’s initial strike on Iran but noted that Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff had no plans to attend upcoming Geneva talks with European diplomats.

Trump continues daily security briefings in the White House and will do so until his departure for the NATO summit in the Netherlands. His decision follows a period of public deliberation and renewed support for Israel’s strikes on Iranian targets. Leavitt concluded by calling on supporters to “trust in President Trump,” emphasising his “incredible instincts.”

Al-Monitor via AFP, BBC