The White House announced on Thursday that President Donald Trump will decide within the next two weeks whether the United States will engage in Israel’s ongoing conflict with Iran. The statement comes as tensions escalate in the Middle East, with recent military actions intensifying between the two nations.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, speaking at a briefing, quoted President Trump directly: “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.” The announcement follows a period of heightened diplomatic and military activity in the region.
Leavitt emphasized the president’s stance, noting, “He’s been very clear. Iran went for 60 days when he gave them that 60-day warning without coming to the table. On day 61, Israel took action against Iran. And as I just told you from the president directly, he will make a decision within two weeks in.” This timeline marks a critical juncture in U.S. foreign policy considerations.
According to Leavitt, there have been six rounds of direct and indirect negotiations with Iran. While she confirmed that talks are ongoing, she refrained from sharing specific details about the discussions. The negotiations are seen as a potential avenue to de-escalate the conflict, though their outcome remains uncertain.
When questioned about the possibility of military action against Iran if negotiations fail, Leavitt reiterated that President Trump would make a decision “whether or not to go” within the stated two-week period. She avoided elaborating on potential U.S. actions, keeping the focus on the president’s impending decision.
Addressing concerns about the reliability of the two-week timeline, given delays in other global matters, Leavitt stressed that the current situation is distinct. “President Trump inherited global instability from the last administration. He is always interested in diplomacy but not afraid to use strength,” she said, highlighting Trump’s approach to foreign policy.
Leavitt noted the administration’s concern about Iran’s nuclear capabilities, stating, “Iran has never been closer to obtaining a nuclear weapon.” She warned that Iran possesses the necessary components to develop such a weapon, pending only a decision from its Supreme Leader. “And it would take a couple of weeks to complete the production of that weapon, which would, of course, pose an existential threat not just to Israel, but to the United States and to the entire world,” she added.
The prevention of Iran acquiring a nuclear weapon is a top priority for the administration, Leavitt said. She emphasized that this aligns with Trump’s long-standing position, noting, “Nobody should be surprised by the president’s position that Iran absolutely cannot obtain a nuclear weapon. He has been unequivocally clear about this for decades, not just as president, not just as a presidential candidate, but also as a private citizen.”
Leavitt also called for public confidence in Trump’s decision-making, saying, “Trust in President Trump. President Trump has incredible instincts and President Trump kept America and the world safe in his first term implementing a peace through strength foreign policy agenda.” Her remarks addressed skepticism from some of Trump’s supporters regarding his approach to the conflict.
On Wednesday, President Trump spoke to reporters outside the White House but declined to confirm whether he had decided on U.S. involvement in Israel’s military efforts. “I may do it. I may not do it. I mean, nobody knows what I’m going to do,” he said. He also issued a warning to Iran, stating that it must “make a deal now – or face even more brutal military action.”
The conflict escalated last Friday when Israel launched an attack on Iran, targeting its nuclear facilities and eliminating several high-ranking Iranian military officials. Iran retaliated by striking Tel Aviv and other Israeli locations, further intensifying the situation.
On Thursday morning, an Iranian missile struck Soroka Hospital in Israel, injuring more than 70 people, according to Israeli authorities. The attack has drawn sharp condemnation from Israeli officials, who view it as a significant escalation.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar described the Iranian attack as a war crime, emphasizing the severity of the strike on civilian infrastructure. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed a strong response, signaling that retaliatory measures are forthcoming.
The situation remains fluid, with the international community closely monitoring developments. President Trump’s decision in the coming weeks is expected to have significant implications for U.S. foreign policy and the Middle East conflict.
