Iran-Israel conflict: The world holds breath for Trump’s next move in a fortnight

U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Thursday, June 19, 2025, that he will wait up to two weeks before deciding whether to support Israel’s ongoing military strikes against Iran.

According to s statement from President Trump, while the possibility of American involvement remains on the table, he emphasized that there is still a “substantial” opportunity for diplomatic talks to resolve the conflict.

The statement was delivered by White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, who read Trump’s message to reporters, addressing widespread speculation about potential U.S. intervention.

“There’s been a lot of speculation about whether we will be directly involved,” Trump said.

“Given there’s a significant chance of negotiations with Iran in the near future, I’ll make my decision within the next two weeks.”

This announcement comes during a tense period of heightened hostilities between Israel and Iran.

Trump’s remarks suggest a possible pause in further escalation, providing a narrow window for diplomacy.

Earlier in the week, he had taken a more aggressive tone, describing Iran’s leadership as an “easy target” and firmly stating that the U.S. would not allow Iran to obtain a nuclear weapon.

Despite this temporary shift toward diplomacy, Leavitt issued a stark warning about Iran’s nuclear capabilities.

“Iran now has everything it needs to produce a nuclear weapon,” she told reporters.

“All that remains is a decision from the Supreme Leader, and within a couple of weeks, they could complete production.”

On Wednesday, Trump claimed that Iranian officials had expressed interest in sending delegates to the White House.

According to him, this was to discuss a deal addressing the nuclear issue and ending the conflict with Israel.

However, Iranian authorities quickly denied that any such request had been made.

When questioned about Trump’s belief in the possibility of negotiations, Leavitt refused to share specifics but insisted the president was not delaying action.

“If there’s a real chance for diplomacy, President Trump will always pursue it,” she said.

“But make no mistake, he won’t hesitate to use strength if needed.”

Leavitt confirmed that “correspondence has continued” between Washington and Tehran, hinting at ongoing indirect communication.

Reports have surfaced that Steve Witkoff, Trump’s special envoy, has been in contact with Iran’s foreign minister, though the administration declined to confirm those reports in detail.

Behind the scenes, Trump has been holding high-level meetings at the White House.

On Thursday, he chaired his third national security session in as many days inside the secure Situation Room, where discussions continue over whether to formally join Israel’s military campaign.

When asked earlier this week about possible military involvement, Trump responded ambiguously: “I may do it, I may not do it.”

While Trump spent considerable time during his presidency pushing for a new agreement to replace the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, which he exited in 2018, his stance has hardened.

In recent weeks, he has supported Israel’s strikes on Iranian military and nuclear targets and is weighing whether the U.S. should play a direct role.

One significant factor is that the United States is the only country with “bunker buster” bombs capable of targeting Iran’s heavily fortified Fordo nuclear facility.

It therefore makes American involvement potentially decisive.

The White House has also responded to internal political pressure.

Prominent figures within Trump’s “Make America Great Again” (MAGA) movement, including conservative commentator Tucker Carlson and former strategist Steve Bannon, have spoken out against U.S. strikes on Iran.

They cited Trump’s long-standing promise to avoid further entanglement in Middle East conflicts.

That pledge to end America’s “forever wars” helped Trump win voter support in both the 2016 and 2024 elections.

Now, as tensions build, his administration is urging the public and his base to remain confident in his leadership.

“Trust in President Trump,” Leavitt said. “The president has incredible instincts, and he will make the right decision at the right time.”

For now, the world watches and waits.

The next two weeks could determine whether the crisis between Israel and Iran moves toward the negotiating table, or into a broader and more dangerous confrontation.

Implications of Trump’s decision to both Iran and Israel

President Trump’s upcoming decision on whether the U.S. will join Israel’s strikes on Iran carries significant military, political, and diplomatic implications for both countries, as well as the wider region and international community.

Here’s a breakdown of the key potential impacts:

Implications for Iran:

1. Increased Military Risk

If Trump decides to join Israel’s strikes, Iran could face a much more powerful and coordinated military assault.

The U.S. possesses advanced weaponry, especially bunker-buster bombs capable of targeting Iran’s underground nuclear facilities, which Israel alone may not be able to effectively strike.

2. Greater Domestic Pressure

A direct U.S. attack could inflame national sentiment inside Iran.

While it could unite hardliners and moderates temporarily, it may also strain Iran’s economy and deepen unrest in a country already dealing with internal challenges, including sanctions, inflation, and protests.

3. Diplomatic Isolation or Leverage

Depending on how Iran responds, it could either:

Be further isolated globally, especially if it retaliates forcefully.

Or, use the situation to reopen back-channel diplomacy if it senses U.S. hesitancy or division between Washington and its allies.

4. Nuclear Escalation

Leavitt’s statement that Iran is “weeks away” from building a nuclear weapon suggests the stakes are extremely high.

A U.S. strike might push Iran to accelerate its program or withdraw entirely from international monitoring frameworks like the IAEA.

Implications for Israel:

1. Strategic Advantage

U.S. involvement would give Israel a significant edge in achieving its military objectives, especially in neutralizing Iran’s nuclear infrastructure and military command centers.

2. Increased Security Risks

At the same time, a joint U.S.-Israeli attack could trigger a broader regional backlash.

Iran may activate its regional proxies (like Hezbollah in Lebanon or militia groups in Iraq and Syria), leading to a multi-front conflict and exposing Israeli cities to a new wave of attacks.

3. Political Boost or Blowback

Domestically, Israeli leadership could benefit politically from U.S. backing, presenting it as proof of strong international support.

However, if the conflict escalates and results in high civilian casualties or regional chaos, public opinion could turn.

4. Diplomatic Repercussions

Israel’s expanding relationships with Arab states under the Abraham Accords may be strained if the war widens. Countries like the UAE or Bahrain may face domestic pressure to condemn Israeli actions, even if they remain officially neutral.

Wider Implications:

For the Region: A larger conflict could destabilize the Middle East, spike oil prices, and trigger refugee flows, especially if strikes target infrastructure or population centers.

For the U.S.: Trump risks undermining his long-standing anti-war narrative, which helped him win in both 2016 and 2024.

Military involvement could also divide his political base and distract from domestic priorities.

For Global Diplomacy: If the U.S. chooses restraint, it could create room for multilateral talks, but only if all parties are genuinely interested.

If diplomacy fails and the U.S. joins the conflict, it could set the stage for a prolonged, unpredictable crisis with global consequences.

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