President Trump is expected to decide within the next two weeks whether the U.S. will take direct military action against Iran, according to a message delivered Thursday by White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt.
Speaking at a press briefing, Leavitt read a statement from Trump addressing growing speculation about a potential U.S. strike on Iran amid rising tensions between Tehran and Israel.
“Given the possibility of upcoming negotiations with Iran which may or may not happen I will make my decision on direct action within the next two weeks,” Trump’s message stated.
Leavitt confirmed that communication between U.S. and Iranian officials is ongoing, though she declined to clarify whether talks are happening directly or through intermediaries. Any potential agreement, she emphasized, must ensure that Iran ceases uranium enrichment and is permanently blocked from acquiring nuclear weapons.
Earlier in the week, Trump remained vague about the likelihood of military intervention. When asked directly if he’s moving toward authorizing a strike on Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, he replied: “I may do it, I may not do it. I mean, nobody knows what I’m going to do.”
He added, “Iran’s in big trouble. They want to negotiate. And I just ask, why didn’t they negotiate with me before all this death and destruction?”
Trump has held daily briefings in the White House Situation Room since Tuesday, meeting with his national security advisers as tensions escalate in the Middle East. The possibility of U.S. involvement has alarmed both lawmakers and the public, as any direct action could rapidly widen the regional conflict.
The president has a habit of using a “two-week” window as a decision-making timeline on major foreign policy matters. He recently invoked the same timeframe when discussing the possibility of talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin over ending the Ukraine war.
When asked whether Trump would adhere to that timeline regarding Iran, Leavitt avoided giving a firm answer. She noted that the situations in the Middle East and Ukraine were “two very different, complex global challenges.”
The debate within Trump’s own party is intensifying. Some allies, like Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.), have urged caution, pointing to Trump’s campaign promise to avoid entangling the U.S. in new foreign wars. Others, like Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), argue that Iran represents a serious threat and requires a strong response.
Leavitt concluded by emphasizing that Trump continues to evaluate all perspectives: “The president listens to voices across the country, weighs the facts, and leads with instinct. And he has always said that diplomacy comes first.”