U.S. President Donald Trump says he will decide within the next two weeks whether the United States will join Israel’s military campaign against Iran, as diplomatic prospects for ending the escalating conflict remain open.
Speaking through White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt on Thursday, Trump emphasized that while military intervention remains an option, diplomacy still has a “substantial chance.”
“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 president said in a statement read at a press briefing.
Leavitt clarified that the president’s delay was not indecision, but rather a deliberate move to allow space for diplomacy. “If there’s a chance for diplomacy, the president’s always going to grab it,” she said. “But he’s not afraid to use strength as well.”
The announcement follows heightened speculation after days of Israeli airstrikes on Iranian nuclear and military targets, and Iranian retaliatory missile strikes on Israeli cities. Trump, who has publicly backed Israel’s operations, has also warned of Iran’s nuclear capabilities.
Leavitt warned that Iran is close to developing a nuclear weapon, saying, “Iran has all that it needs… all they need is a decision from the supreme leader to do that, and it would take a couple of weeks.”
Iran, for its part, denies it is pursuing nuclear weapons, maintaining that its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes only.
The White House also confirmed that Trump has been holding daily meetings with his national security team in the Situation Room and will continue those briefings until he departs for the NATO summit in the Netherlands on Monday.
On Wednesday, Trump claimed that Iranian officials had reached out requesting negotiations at the White House. Tehran, however, swiftly denied the claim.
While there has been no confirmation of direct talks, White House officials revealed that diplomatic “correspondence” has continued between Washington and Tehran since Israel’s strikes began.
Leavitt confirmed that U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff will not attend nuclear talks involving European diplomats and Iran’s foreign minister in Geneva on Friday.
The administration also acknowledged the internal split among Trump’s political allies. Prominent figures in the president’s base — including Steve Bannon and media commentator Tucker Carlson — have warned against deepening U.S. military involvement in the Middle East.
Despite the divide, Leavitt urged Americans to trust the president’s instincts. “Trust in President Trump. President Trump has incredible instincts,” she said. “He’s focused on protecting the American people and securing peace through strength.”
A major factor in Trump’s decision is the unique U.S. military capability to destroy Iran’s heavily fortified Fordo nuclear facility — a target no other country can hit without American-made “bunker buster” bombs.
For now, the world watches as the U.S. weighs its next move in what could become a defining moment in the rapidly intensifying Middle East crisis.
