White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated Thursday that President Donald Trump will make a decision within the next two weeks regarding the U.S.’s involvement in Israel’s conflict with Iran.
Trump’s Upcoming Decision on Iran
Leavitt shared a message directly from the president, quoting Trump: “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.”
She clarified that the president has been clear about the situation: Iran had a 60-day window to negotiate, but after day 61, Israel took military action against Iran. Trump will now decide whether or not the U.S. will intervene.
Ongoing Negotiations and Diplomacy
Leavitt confirmed that there have been six rounds of negotiations, both direct and indirect, between the U.S. and Iran. Talks are still ongoing, though Leavitt did not provide specifics. When pressed about the possibility of military action if negotiations fail, she reiterated that Trump would make his decision in the next two weeks.
The President’s Position on Iran’s Nuclear Threat
Leavitt emphasized the president’s stance on Iran’s nuclear program, saying that Iran is weeks away from potentially obtaining a nuclear weapon, which she described as a direct threat to the United States and Israel.
“Iran has never been closer to obtaining a nuclear weapon,” she stated, adding that all Iran needs is a decision from the Supreme Leader to complete the production of the weapon. Leavitt warned that this would pose an existential threat to both Israel and the global community.
Trump’s priority, Leavitt said, remains ensuring that Iran cannot acquire a nuclear weapon, as well as maintaining peace and stability in the Middle East. She reiterated that the president has been unequivocally clear on this matter for decades, even before his time as president.
Trusting Trump’s Leadership
Leavitt called on the public to trust Trump’s instincts in handling this critical issue, emphasizing his previous success in keeping both America and the world safe during his first term with his “peace through strength” foreign policy approach.
Trump’s Cautious Approach
Speaking to reporters outside the White House on Wednesday, Trump was cautious when asked if he had made a decision regarding U.S. military involvement in Israel’s campaign against Iran. “I may do it. I may not do it. I mean, nobody knows what I’m going to do,” he remarked, adding that Iran must make a deal now or face even harsher consequences.
Escalation of Conflict: Israel Attacks Iran
The conflict between Israel and Iran escalated earlier this week when Israel launched an attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities, taking out key military figures in the process. In retaliation, Iran launched missile strikes, including one that hit Tel Aviv and another that struck the Soroka Hospital on Thursday morning. The attack injured over 70 people.
Israel’s Response
Israel condemned the Iranian missile strike as a war crime and vowed to retaliate. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar condemned the attack, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu promised that Israel would take action in response to the assault.