Washington [US], June 20: US President Donald Trump is expected to decide within the next two weeks whether to take direct action against Iran, amid escalating tensions in the Middle East following recent military exchanges between Iran and Israel.
Speaking at a press briefing on Thursday (local time), White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt conveyed a message from Trump, addressing growing speculation over potential US military involvement.
“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.
While communication between the US and Iran is ongoing, Leavitt declined to specify whether talks were direct or conducted through intermediaries. She emphasized that any agreement must include Iran’s full cessation of uranium enrichment and a binding commitment that it will not pursue nuclear weapons.
When asked on Wednesday about the possibility of a US strike on Iran, President Trump remained ambiguous. “I may do it, I may not do it. I mean, nobody knows what I’m going to do,” he told reporters. “Iran’s got a lot of trouble. They want to negotiate. And I say, ‘Why didn’t you negotiate with me before all this death and destruction?’”
Trump has demanded that Iran completely abandon its nuclear program, warning Tehran of serious consequences if it refuses to reach a deal.
The announcement comes in the wake of intense military activity. On June 13, Israel launched a series of strikes against Iranian targets, including the country’s state television station. In response, Iran fired ballistic missiles at Israeli military and security installations, striking the Haifa oil refinery among other locations. The conflict has since continued with reciprocal attacks.
According to Al Jazeera analysis, Iran has lost some of its regional deterrent power. Hezbollah, its longtime ally in Lebanon, was significantly weakened following a full-scale war with Israel last year. Additionally, Iran lost support from Syria after former President Bashar al-Assad was overthrown in December 2024.
Iran has also warned that it may retaliate economically by targeting commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global oil trade. Disruptions there could cause a spike in global oil prices, adding an economic dimension to the military crisis.