Trump Set to Decide on Possible Iran Strike Within Two Weeks

President Donald Trump is anticipated to make a decision on military action against Iran within the next two weeks, according to his spokesperson. This development follows Israel’s escalation of attacks on Iranian nuclear installations, cautioning that such moves could destabilize Tehran’s leadership.

White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt stated on Thursday that Trump recognized “there’s a significant chance of negotiations that may or may not happen soon with Iran, and I will determine whether to move forward within the next two weeks.”

‘No one is exempt’

Leavitt did not elaborate on Trump’s timeline or his perspective regarding the potential success of negotiations with Iran. The president remains focused on halting Iran’s uranium enrichment and preventing the country from acquiring nuclear capabilities, but is open to diplomatic opportunities if they present themselves, as Leavitt highlighted during a White House press briefing.

Trump has been considering aligning U.S. military actions with Israel’s strikes on Iran, which would heighten tensions in the oil-rich Middle East.

Earlier on Thursday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu indicated that while Israel’s military goal is to dismantle Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile capabilities, “we might create the conditions” for governmental change.

When questioned if this meant targeting Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Netanyahu stated that “no one is exempt.” Defense Minister Israel Katz specifically pointed out Khamenei, asserting that he would “be held accountable” after Iranian missiles targeted an Israeli hospital amid ongoing conflicts.

U.S. officials are reportedly gearing up for a potential strike against Iran in the coming days, with some sources predicting plans for an attack over the weekend.

According to one insider, key leaders from several federal agencies have begun making preparations for an attack.

Appeal for dialogue

As hostilities continue unabated, other countries have intensified efforts to mediate the situation. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer urged Trump to keep the lines of communication open for resuming discussions on Iran’s nuclear program, expressing concerns over potential U.S. military actions. Anwar Gargash, diplomatic advisor to UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, also called for an end to hostilities and a return to diplomatic negotiations.

The foreign ministers of Germany, France, and the UK are scheduled to meet Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi for discussions in Geneva on Friday, with Kaja Kallas, the EU’s head diplomat, in attendance. Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has held discussions with his Italian counterpart and is expected to meet UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy in Washington on Thursday.

Araghchi declared on Wednesday that Iran remains “committed to diplomacy” and has never sought nuclear weapons and will not do so in the future.

Khamenei echoed this sentiment that day, asserting he will not yield.

On Thursday, a missile launched from Iran struck an Israeli hospital for the first time since the outbreak of the conflict, highlighting the dangers faced by civilians in both nations. Israel’s Health Ministry reported minor injuries related to the incident at Soroka Medical Centre, noting the missile hit a section of the hospital that had already been evacuated.

Persistent assault

The impact of the morning attack was amplified by what Israel described as Iran’s use of a missile equipped with a warhead that fragmented into multiple submunitions, scattering before detonating on the ground.

A Bloomberg reporter observed a blast overhead prior to the impacts, corroborating the Israeli military’s assessment of the missile’s type. This fragmented-warhead missile was first introduced by Iran in 2017, according to the Centre for Strategic and International Studies in Washington.

Israel’s military operations show no signs of diminishing, with airstrikes targeting various military facilities in Iran overnight, including a non-operational nuclear reactor in Arak.

The nation will escalate its attacks on Iranian strategic and governmental sites, Katz noted.

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Focused on atomic infrastructure?

Arak has long been under global scrutiny for its potential contributions to plutonium production, which could be utilized for future nuclear armament should reprocessing capabilities materialize. The Arak-Khondab region is strategically significant as it houses key atomic infrastructure for Iran.

European stocks and U.S. futures have slightly declined amid geopolitical uncertainty and inflationary concerns associated with rising crude oil prices. Brent crude rose by 1.6%, nearing $78 per barrel. Trading in U.S. stocks and Treasuries is paused for the Juneteenth holiday.

On Saturday, the Iranian minister is set to participate in the Organization of Islamic Cooperation meeting in Istanbul, according to unverified reports from Turkish news outlet NTV.

A special session addressing the Israel-Iran conflict is on the agenda.

In addition, Iran initiated a nationwide internet and telephone blackout on Thursday, claiming it aims to prevent possible Israeli cyberattacks.

Trump told reporters at the White House on Wednesday that he has “plans for action” and prefers to make the “final decision just before it’s necessary” to accommodate the dynamic situation.

Earlier that day, Trump commented, “I may do it. I may not do it,” when asked if he was near the point of launching an attack on Iran.

A White House official confirmed that all options remain on the table.

Shift in tone

The president’s readiness to contemplate military action signifies a change from his remarks just a week prior, when he promoted diplomatic avenues to secure a nuclear disarmament agreement with Iran.

Delaying any potential military strike gives Iranian leaders extra time to demonstrate to Trump their willingness to limit some uranium enrichment as a deterrent against U.S. action.

International Atomic Energy Agency inspectors reported they “have not observed” any organized efforts by Iran to manufacture nuclear weapons, although “no nation in the world is enriching uranium at this scale,” remarked the UN’s director general, Rafael Mariano Grossi, during an interview with Bloomberg Television on Wednesday.

Since Israel initiated its attacks on Iran last Friday, casualties have surged. Reports suggest that at least 224 Iranians have died, predominantly civilians, according to Iran’s health ministry. Conversely, Israel claims that 400 ballistic missiles and numerous drones launched by Iran have resulted in 24 fatalities and over 800 injuries, as reported by Israeli emergency services.

© 2025 Bloomberg

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