Trump Grants Two Weeks For Diplomacy Before Deciding On Iran Strike, White House Confirms.
President Donald Trump has announced he will allow a two-week window for diplomatic efforts before making a final decision on whether the United States will launch a military strike against Iran, the White House confirmed on Thursday, 19 June 2025. The statement, delivered by White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, underscores a commitment to seeking a peaceful resolution amidst heightened tensions in the Middle East, offering hope for a diplomatic breakthrough.
The announcement follows a week of intense conflict between Israel and Iran, which began on 13 June 2025 with Israeli airstrikes targeting Iran’s nuclear facilities, including the Natanz and Fordo uranium enrichment sites. Iran retaliated with missile and drone attacks, striking civilian and military targets in Israel, including the Soroka Medical Center in Beersheba. Amidst this escalation, Trump has expressed a preference for diplomacy, stating, “We want diplomacy with Iran, we don’t want war, let’s see how their meeting with the Europeans goes,” as shared in posts on X.
Leavitt, speaking at a White House press briefing, read a statement from the President: “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.” This approach has been described as “quite telling” by analysts, with US special envoy Steve Witkoff engaging in multiple phone calls with Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi since the conflict began. These discussions, reported by Reuters, mark the most substantive US-Iran talks since April, focusing on a US proposal for a regional consortium to enrich uranium outside Iran—a proposal Tehran has so far rejected but which remains on the table.
The White House’s emphasis on diplomacy comes as the UK’s Foreign Secretary David Lammy met US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington on 19 June to discuss the crisis, with Witkoff also present. The talks reflect international efforts to prevent further escalation, with European leaders, including German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, urging restraint and supporting diplomatic solutions. Iran’s Foreign Ministry, through Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht-Ravanchi, has reiterated its commitment to diplomacy but stressed it “cannot negotiate under threats,” highlighting the challenges ahead.
Trump’s decision to pause for diplomacy has been met with cautious optimism. Posts on social media reflect public support for his approach, with users noting his desire to avoid another Middle Eastern conflict while maintaining a firm stance against Iran developing nuclear weapons. The President has repeatedly stated that “Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon,” a position he has held for decades, but he has also expressed openness to negotiations, suggesting Iran could disable its Fordo facility voluntarily to avert a strike.
The US has bolstered its military presence in the region, deploying the USS Nimitz aircraft carrier to join the USS Carl Vinson in the Gulf, alongside F-22 and F-35 aircraft, as a defensive measure to protect the estimated 40,000 American troops stationed in the Middle East. However, Leavitt emphasised that Trump’s priority remains a “reasonable and rational” diplomatic resolution, with regime change explicitly stated as not being the administration’s goal.
As the two-week period unfolds, the international community is watching closely. The UN Secretary-General António Guterres has condemned the loss of civilian lives and urged all sides to show restraint, while the International Atomic Energy Agency noted that Israel’s strikes have set Iran’s nuclear programme back by a few months, though deeply buried facilities like Fordo remain challenging to destroy without US involvement.
With negotiations set to continue, including a planned sixth round of talks in Oman on 22 June, there is renewed hope that diplomacy could avert further conflict. Trump’s measured approach, balancing military preparedness with a clear preference for dialogue, offers a window for peace in a region fraught with tension. For updates, follow reputable news sources or the White House’s official channels.