President Donald Trump is set to decide within the next two weeks whether the United States will intervene in the ongoing Israel-Iran air war, a move announced by the White House on Thursday that intensifies pressure on Tehran to enter negotiations.
Citing a direct message from President Trump, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt informed reporters: “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 Republican president has kept the global community guessing on his intentions, oscillating between advocating for a swift diplomatic resolution and suggesting that the US might join the hostilities on Israel’s side. On Wednesday, he stated that no one knew his course of action. A day earlier, he mused on social media about eliminating Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, subsequently demanding Iran’s unconditional surrender.
These threats have created divisions within Trump’s support base, particularly between more assertive traditional Republicans and the party’s more isolationist factions.
However, critics point out that in the five months since resuming office, Trump has repeatedly issued deadlines—including for the conflict between Russia and Ukraine and for other nations in trade tariff discussions—only to subsequently suspend or disregard them.
“I think going to war with Iran is a terrible idea, but no one believes this ‘two weeks’ bit,” remarked Democratic Senator Chris Murphy on the social media platform X. “He’s used it a million times before to pretend he might be doing something he’s not. It just makes America look weak and silly.”
Leavitt clarified during a regular White House briefing that while Trump is interested in pursuing a diplomatic solution with Iran, his foremost priority remains ensuring that Iran does not acquire a nuclear weapon. She emphasized that any potential deal would need to explicitly prohibit uranium enrichment by Tehran and dismantle Iran’s capability to develop a nuclear weapon.
“The president is always interested in a diplomatic solution… if there’s a chance for diplomacy, the president’s always going to grab it,” Leavitt stated. She added, “But he’s not afraid to use strength as well.”
Potential Bypassing of Congress?
Leavitt declined to confirm whether Trump would seek congressional authorization for any strikes on Iran. Democrats have expressed concerns over reports from CBS and other outlets suggesting that Trump has already approved a plan to attack Iran, potentially bypassing Congress, which holds the sole constitutional authority to declare war.
Leavitt asserted that US officials remain convinced that Iran has never been closer to obtaining a nuclear weapon, claiming it would take Tehran merely “a couple of weeks” to produce such a device. This assessment by Leavitt, however, contradicted congressional testimony in March from Trump’s intelligence chief, Tulsi Gabbard, who had stated then that the US intelligence community continued to believe Tehran was not actively working on a nuclear warhead.
This week, Trump dismissed Gabbard’s March testimony, telling reporters: “I don’t care what she said. I think they were very close to having one.”
On Wednesday, Trump’s close ally Steve Bannon advised caution regarding the US joining Israel in efforts to dismantle Iran’s nuclear program.
The air war escalated on Thursday, with Israel bombing nuclear targets in Iran, and Iran responding by firing missiles and drones at Israel after striking an Israeli hospital overnight. Neither side has yet indicated any clear exit strategy from the escalating conflict.
Leavitt confirmed that Trump had been briefed on the Israeli operation on Thursday and remains in close communication with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. She warned that Iran is in “a deeply vulnerable position” and would face severe repercussions if it does not agree to halt its nuclear weapons-related work.
Iran is reportedly considering broader options in its response to what constitutes its most significant security challenge since its 1979 revolution.
Three diplomats informed Reuters that Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi have engaged in several phone conversations since Israel commenced its strikes last week.
