President Donald Trump will decide within the next 2 weeks whether to take further action regarding Iran, as the United States continues to weigh diplomatic engagement against the possibility of supporting Israel’s ongoing strikes on Iranian targets.
The announcement was made during a White House briefing on Thursday, where Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt quoted the president as saying: “Given the substantial likelihood of negotiations with Iran in the near future, I will make my decision about whether or not to proceed within the next two weeks.”
Trump’s remarks come amid rising tensions in the Middle East following Israel’s recent airstrikes on Iranian military facilities. The president has refrained from publicly endorsing or condemning the Israeli action, leaving open the question of whether the United States will lend direct support to the campaign.
Leavitt clarified that the administration’s focus remains on preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons. “Our priority is to ensure Iran cannot enrich uranium or obtain a nuclear weapon,” she stated. The White House reiterated that diplomatic options are currently under review and that a decision is pending.
The US position follows reports of backchannel communications between Washington and Tehran. According to diplomatic sources cited by Reuters, Trump’s special envoy, Steven Witkoff, has held several phone conversations with Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in recent days. These exchanges reportedly began after the launch of Israeli airstrikes and have focused on de-escalating the nuclear issue while avoiding a broader regional conflict.
While the content of these discussions remains confidential, the frequency of contact suggests both parties are considering the possibility of direct negotiations. Neither side has publicly confirmed the details, and there is no indication of when or where talks might occur, should they go ahead.
The White House has not ruled out military options. Leavitt noted that the president is closely monitoring the situation on the ground and will adjust the US response as circumstances evolve. “We are not taking any potential action off the table,” she said, adding that the president would consult with allies before making a final decision.
The statement also appears to serve as a signal to both Tehran and US partners in the region. The administration is seeking to apply pressure on Iran while avoiding an immediate military escalation that could draw the United States deeper into the conflict. At the same time, Trump’s two-week window allows for continued engagement with regional allies and assessments of Israel’s operational progress.
Iran, for its part, continues to insist that its nuclear programme is for peaceful purposes. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), however, has reported increased uranium enrichment activity, prompting renewed concern in Washington and European capitals.
The situation is further complicated by the broader geopolitical backdrop. Relations between Washington and Tehran remain strained following the collapse of the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), from which Trump withdrew during his first term. While the Biden administration had attempted to revive the agreement, the current administration has shown no intention of returning to the original framework.
Instead, the White House is reportedly exploring a more limited bilateral agreement focused on immediate restrictions to Iran’s nuclear activities, potentially combined with targeted sanctions relief. However, no formal proposal has been put forward.
The US decision-making process is expected to be influenced not only by Iran’s actions but also by developments in Israel’s military campaign. Israeli officials have publicly stated that their objective is to degrade Iran’s military infrastructure and deter further threats, particularly in relation to missile deployments and proxy activity across the region.
As it stands, President Trump’s declaration introduces a short but critical period in which diplomacy may still avert a broader conflict. Whether Iran will engage on terms acceptable to Washington remains unclear.
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