US President Donald Trump has announced he will decide within the next fortnight whether to order military strikes against Iran, as tensions in the Middle East continue to escalate.
The announcement came through White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt, who delivered a message directly from the President. Trump stated that “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 decision comes as Israel has intensified its attacks on Iranian nuclear sites. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has warned that these strikes could potentially bring down Iran’s current leadership in Tehran.
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Trump has been publicly considering whether the United States should join Israel’s military campaign against Iran. However, his latest statement suggests he may be stepping back from earlier, more aggressive rhetoric. Previously, the President had made tough demands, including calling for residents of Tehran to evacuate, and had even left this week’s Group of Seven summit in Canada early to return to Washington.
The phrase “within two weeks” has become something of a trademark for Trump throughout his presidency. He has frequently set similar deadlines over the years, sometimes following through on his promises, but other times missing them entirely or taking no action at all.
