U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Thursday that he will decide within the next two weeks whether to launch a military strike on Iran, citing a “substantial” possibility of upcoming negotiations, as hostilities between Israel and its regional rival continued for a seventh day.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt delivered a statement from Trump during a briefing, addressing growing speculation over potential U.S. 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,” Trump stated.
Leavitt declined to provide further details on what prompted the president’s belief that talks with Iran might be possible. Trump had claimed on Wednesday that Iran expressed interest in sending officials to the White House to discuss a nuclear deal and end the conflict with Israel—an assertion Iran has denied.
When asked about reports of backchannel discussions, Leavitt confirmed that “correspondence has continued” between Washington and Tehran, though she said she was “not tracking” any plans for Trump’s envoy, Steve Witkoff, to travel to Geneva for talks.
On Thursday, Trump held his third consecutive meeting in the White House’s secure Situation Room as he continued to weigh whether the U.S. should join Israel’s military campaign.
“I may do it, I may not do it,” Trump said Wednesday when questioned about the possibility of military action against Iran.
