President Trump said Thursday his decision on a military strike against Iran will come within two weeks to give more time for Tehran to come to an agreement with the U.S. about its nuclear program.
The announcement was the most concrete plan the president has shared regarding the rising conflict between Israel and Iran.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt shared a statement from the president at the press briefing Thursday: “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,” he said.
Ms. Leavitt said correspondence with Iran has continued.
The U.S. had six rounds of negotiations with Iran before Israel decided to strike the country with missiles. Ms. Leavitt said the deal presented by U.S. Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff was “both realistic and acceptable,” but it ultimately wasn’t accepted.
Ms. Leavitt said a deal with Iran would include Tehran agreeing to not enrich uranium so it wouldn’t be able to achieve a nuclear weapon.
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She called Mr. Trump “a peace through strength president,” but said he’s “not afraid to use strength as well.”
When asked if the U.S. was basing its analysis that Iran is close to having a nuclear weapon on U.S. intelligence or intelligence sharing from an ally, she said the administration “maintains this fact that Iran has never been closer to obtaining a nuclear weapon.”
