President Trump will decide within a fortnight whether to take military action against Iran, according to Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt during a Thursday press briefing.
Leavitt quoted Trump as saying that he would decide on potential action within two weeks, considering the possibility of upcoming negotiations with Iran.
Trump’s timeframe coincides with increased conflict between Iran and Israel, and U.S. consideration of direct military intervention. When asked Wednesday about potential strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, Trump stated he might or might not take action, adding that Iran was facing “a lot of trouble.”
Leavitt stated that the U.S. government believes Iran is closer than ever to acquiring a nuclear weapon. She added that the President is regularly briefed by the National Security Council and maintains close contact with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
The hostilities between the two nations began last Friday with Israeli “preemptive air strikes” on over a dozen Iranian locations. reports that 639 people have died and 1,329 have been wounded in Iran since Israel’s initial missile attack, including 263 civilians and 154 military personnel. , Iranian strikes have caused 24 deaths and 838 injuries.
On Thursday, an hit a hospital in southern Israel, injuring 271, according to Israeli authorities.
as he assesses the situation, particularly considering his campaign promises of a .
The two-week window allows for diplomacy but does not rule out U.S. military involvement. Leavitt said the president prefers diplomacy but “is unafraid to use strength if necessary.”
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