Washington [US], June 20 (ANI): US President Donald Trump is expected to decide within the next two weeks whether to take direct military action against Iran, amid intensifying tensions in the Middle East. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed on Thursday that the decision is pending as diplomatic discussions remain ongoing.
“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 quoted Trump as saying during a media briefing.
Leavitt further noted that communication between Washington and Tehran is continuing, though she did not specify whether it was happening directly or through intermediaries. She emphasized that any diplomatic agreement must include Iran’s commitment to cease uranium enrichment and prevent the development of a nuclear weapon.
President Trump, when questioned on Wednesday about a possible US military strike on Iran, remained noncommittal. “I may do it, I may not do it. I mean, nobody knows what I’m going to do,” Trump told reporters. “I can tell you this, that Iran’s got a lot of trouble. And they want to negotiate. And I say, ‘Why didn’t you negotiate with me before all this death and destruction?’”
The Trump administration has made it clear that Tehran must dismantle its entire nuclear program to avoid further escalation. Trump warned that failure to comply would result in “even more dire repercussions.”
The situation escalated dramatically on June 13, when Israel launched a series of airstrikes against Iranian targets, including Iran’s state television station. In response, Iran retaliated by firing ballistic missiles at Israeli military installations and infrastructure, reportedly hitting the Haifa oil refinery and other strategic locations.
The ongoing conflict follows a pattern of deteriorating regional alliances for Iran. The Islamic Republic has historically relied on its proxy Hezbollah to deter Israeli aggression. However, Hezbollah suffered major losses during a full-scale war with Israel last year. Additionally, the fall of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in December 2024 further isolated Tehran.
Analysts have warned that Iran could escalate the conflict by threatening global economic interests. One such threat includes potential disruptions to commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz—a vital maritime chokepoint for global oil shipments. Any such action could significantly impact global trade and drive up energy prices.
As the region braces for further developments, the international community is closely watching Trump’s next move, which could shift the course of the Iran-Israel conflict and reshape the geopolitical landscape in the Middle East. (ANI)
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