Trump Sets Two-Week Deadline on Potential U.S. Military Action Against Iran
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump is expected to decide within the next two weeks whether the United States will launch military action against Iran, as the crisis in the Middle East deepens and diplomatic opportunities narrow.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed on Thursday that Trump is weighing the possibility of joining Israel’s campaign against Iran, with the aim of neutralizing Tehran’s nuclear ambitions. The President is reportedly keeping the diplomatic channel open — for now — in the hopes that substantial negotiations with Iran might prevent an all-out conflict.
“Based on the chance for meaningful negotiations, the President will make his final decision in the next two weeks,” Leavitt told reporters.
Behind Closed Doors: Strategy and Calculations
Trump has held three high-level meetings in as many days with his national security team inside the White House Situation Room, officials revealed. According to sources familiar with the discussions, the President is applying a cautious approach and wants clear assurances on three critical points:
- That military intervention is truly essential.
- That any operation would not entangle the U.S. in another prolonged conflict in the Middle East.
- That a strike would achieve the strategic objective of dismantling Iran’s nuclear program.
Diplomatic discussions continue behind the scenes. Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff is in ongoing contact with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, and sources suggest Iran is still open to direct negotiations. Tehran has even floated the idea of sending a delegation to Washington — a proposal that remains under consideration.
However, Trump warned on Wednesday that time for diplomacy is running out. “We’re getting very late for talks,” he stated, hinting that military strikes might be authorized soon if no progress is made.
European Diplomacy in Motion
Meanwhile, European leaders are stepping up their efforts to de-escalate the crisis. Diplomats from France, Germany, and the United Kingdom — along with the EU’s top foreign policy chief — are scheduled to meet Araghchi in Geneva on Friday.
According to Leavitt, the U.S. will closely monitor the outcome of this meeting before taking any final steps. "The President always prefers diplomacy over conflict," she emphasized, "but he is fully prepared to act if necessary."
A European official told that Secretary of State Marco Rubio was briefed by the EU’s diplomatic lead on Wednesday regarding the upcoming talks.
Israel’s War Objectives Raise Alarms
The stakes are high. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz has publicly stated that one of Israel’s main war objectives is the elimination of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, raising fears of a broader regional conflagration.
Some analysts argue that Trump’s declared two-week decision window might be more symbolic than binding. Speaking to Al Jazeera, senior analyst Marwan Bishara suggested the timeline could be a strategic distraction.
“Trump might act even sooner. The announcement could serve as a smokescreen,” Bishara warned. “He may be using this pause to give diplomacy one last shot — or to let the Europeans save face.”
Humanitarian Toll and Civilian Casualties
As tensions mount, reports from Iran suggest growing concern about the human cost of the conflict. Iranian-American analyst Negar Mortazavi condemned the Israeli airstrikes as targeting not just the regime, but the Iranian people themselves.
“This is not just a war against a government. Civilians are dying,” Mortazavi said. “These so-called ‘freedom bombs’ are not limited to nuclear facilities. They are destroying homes and killing families.”
The unfolding situation places the Biden successor at the heart of a historic decision — one that could define America's role in the Middle East for years to come. Whether Trump chooses diplomacy or force, the world is watching.