U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Thursday that he will wait up to two weeks before making a final decision on whether the United States will directly support Israel’s military campaign against Iran.
The delay, he said, is due to what he described as a “substantial” chance that diplomatic talks with Tehran could be initiated.
The announcement, delivered by White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt during a briefing, follows growing speculation over Washington’s potential military involvement.
Reading from a statement issued by the president, Leavitt said, “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 pause in decision-making comes amid heightened global tension after a series of tit-for-tat strikes between Israel and Iran. Though Trump has expressed unyielding support for Israel’s campaign, praising its strikes on Iran’s nuclear infrastructure and top military leaders, he has not yet committed U.S. forces to join the conflict.
Leavitt underscored the seriousness of the current standoff, noting that Iran could be on the brink of becoming a nuclear-armed state. “Iran has all that it needs to achieve a nuclear weapon. All they need is a decision from the supreme leader to do that, and it would take a couple of weeks to complete the production of that weapon,” she warned.
President Trump said on Wednesday that Iran had made overtures to send negotiators to Washington to seek a resolution, including discussions on their nuclear ambitions. Tehran, however, has denied any such intent.
Leavitt refused to elaborate on what led the president to believe that negotiations were possible but rejected the idea that the delay was a sign of hesitation. “If there’s a chance for diplomacy, the president’s always going to grab it,” she stated. “But he’s not afraid to use strength as well.”
Reports have surfaced suggesting that Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, has maintained a backchannel with Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian. When asked about these reports, Leavitt confirmed that “correspondence has continued” between Washington and Tehran, but provided no additional information.
As part of his ongoing evaluation, Trump held his third consecutive high-level meeting in the White House Situation Room on Thursday, weighing military options alongside key advisers. While the president maintains his public ambiguity—stating simply, “I may do it, I may not do it”—his administration is aware of the strategic implications.
One significant military factor is that only the United States possesses the bunker-busting munitions capable of penetrating deeply buried sites like Iran’s Fordo nuclear enrichment facility, a possible target if the conflict escalates.
Despite his history of harsh rhetoric toward Iran and his decision in 2018 to abandon the Obama-era nuclear deal, Trump has for weeks sought a new diplomatic arrangement. Yet, the president has also applauded Israel’s bold strikes, placing him in a delicate position between peace negotiations and active military intervention.
The divide within Trump’s own base adds complexity to the matter. Influential voices in his “Make America Great Again” movement, such as conservative commentator Tucker Carlson and former strategist Steve Bannon, have publicly opposed a U.S. strike on Iran, warning against entanglement in another Middle East conflict.
These voices echo Trump’s longstanding campaign promise to withdraw the United States from what he called the nation’s “forever wars”—a pledge central to his victories in both 2016 and 2024. As the debate intensifies, the White House has urged supporters to trust the president’s instincts. “President Trump has incredible instincts,” Leavitt insisted. “Trust in President Trump.”
The international community watches closely, aware that Trump’s decision could shift the balance of power in the ongoing Israel-Iran conflict, and possibly determine whether a diplomatic path remains viable—or if the region spirals into a broader war.
What You Should Know
President Trump has delayed a final decision on whether the U.S. will join Israel’s attacks on Iran, citing a potential diplomatic opening. He plans to decide within two weeks, amid backchannel talks and growing concerns over Iran’s nuclear capabilities.
