'Nobody knows what I’m going to do': Trump says he hasn't decided whether to strike Iran
The remarks at the White House were the most concrete evidence that Trump was actively considering joining Israel in its campaign against Iran.
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump says he has not decided whether to greenlight U.S. military strikes on Iran's uranium enrichment sites.
“I may do it. I may not do it. I mean, nobody knows what I’m going to do," Trump told reporters on June 18 during an impromptu question and answer session at the White House.
He said later Iran had been "school yard bullies" but not after its leadership regime was weakened by Israeli military strikes. “Nothing is finished until it's finished," Trump added. "I wouldn't say that we won anything yet. I would say that we sure as hell made a lot of progress. And the next week is going to be very big. Maybe less than a week."
The president's remarks were the latest indication Trump is actively considering assisting Israel in its military campaign after telling the residents of Tehran they should flee the city earlier in the week. He also said in a series of social media posts and public comments that Iran should make a nuclear agreement with the United States before it is too late. He signaled at the White House in his first public appearance in more than 24 hours that the window may be closing.
Trump said he gave the Iranians the "ultimate ultimatum" but declined to say what was in it.
The president indicated he was still mulling his options hours later, telling reporters during an Oval Office event that he would be meeting with his national security team in the Situation Room during the afternoon. Trump said he has "ideas" of what he'd like to do but had not made a "final decision."
"I like to make a final decision one second before it's due, because things change," Trump said.
Minutes later, Trump said that he believes Iran was a "few weeks away" from being able to produce a nuclear weapon.
Earlier in the day, the president said that Iran wants to negotiate with the United States — an assertion that Tehran immediately knocked down − and suggested his own interest in nuclear negotiations is waning. Trump told reporters there's a "big difference" between tensions now and a week ago, when the U.S. committed to talks with Iran to shut down its uranium enrichment program.
Still, Trump said the Iranians had suggested talks at the White House, so he could personally be involved negotiations that his special envoy Steve Witkoff had been leading.
In a statement posted on social media, Iran's mission to the United Nations responded forcefully. It said no one from its government had ever "asked to grovel at the gates of the White House." It further condemned a threat from Trump against its supreme leader.
"Iran does NOT negotiate under duress, shall NOT accept peace under duress, and certainly NOT with a has-been warmonger clinging to relevance. Iran shall respond to any threat with a counter-threat, and to any action with reciprocal measures," the statement said.