President Donald Trump will decide within the next two weeks whether the United States will take direct military action against Iran, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed on Thursday. The announcement comes as tensions continue to rise between Iran and Israel following a series of deadly airstrikes.
Reading from a prepared statement by the President during a press briefing, Leavitt said: “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 timeline signals that while diplomatic talks remain on the table, U.S. military involvement is a serious possibility. The President’s remarks follow increasing calls within Washington to respond to Iran’s nuclear ambitions and its military confrontation with Israel.
On Wednesday, Trump gave an ambiguous response when asked whether he was preparing to order strikes on Iran’s nuclear infrastructure. “I may do it, I may not do it, nobody knows what I’m going to do,” he said. “I can tell you this. Iran’s got a lot of trouble.”
Leavitt echoed concerns about Iran’s nuclear capabilities, stating that “Iran has never been closer to obtaining a nuclear weapon.” She added that the President is receiving daily briefings from the National Security Council and remains in close contact with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
The recent escalation began last Friday, when Israel launched what it described as “preemptive air strikes” on more than a dozen targets inside Iran. According to the Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), the strikes have so far killed 639 people in Iran and injured 1,329, including 263 civilians and 154 military personnel. In Israel, retaliatory strikes by Iran have left 24 dead and 838 wounded.
On Thursday, Iran launched a missile barrage that struck a hospital in southern Israel, injuring 271 people, Israeli authorities said.
Trump now faces a difficult decision. While some of his supporters favour a strong response, others remain wary of foreign military entanglements, citing his longstanding campaign promise of “no new wars.”
Leavitt noted the President’s preference for diplomacy but warned that military options remain on the table. “The president has made it clear he always wants to pursue diplomacy,” she said. “But believe me, the president is unafraid to use strength if necessary.”
As the clock ticks down, all eyes will be on Washington, where diplomacy and deterrence are once again locked in a delicate balance.
