Washington D.C. – President Donald Trump is set to make a critical decision within the next two weeks regarding the United States’ involvement in the intensifying military conflict between Israel and Iran. This announcement comes amidst a stark warning from the White House that Iran possesses the capabilities to develop a nuclear weapon within weeks, should its leadership give the order.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, speaking on Thursday (June 19, 2025), relayed President Trump’s statement directly: “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.”
The President’s contemplation comes as the Middle East conflict escalates dramatically. On Thursday, Iranian missiles struck the Soroka Medical Center in southern Israel, injuring at least 80 people and causing significant damage. This attack was part of a larger barrage that wounded over 240 people across Israel, also targeting residential areas near Tel Aviv. In retaliation, Israeli warplanes launched fresh strikes deep into Iranian territory, continuing their campaign to dismantle Iran’s nuclear capabilities causing urgency for Trump to Announce US Role in Escalating Iran-Israel Conflict Within Two Weeks Amid Nuclear Concerns.
Leavitt underscored the gravity of the situation, asserting that Iran has “all that it needs to achieve a nuclear weapon” and could complete its production in a matter of weeks if directed by the Supreme Leader. “That weapon would, of course, pose an existential threat not just to Israel but to the United States and to the entire world,” she cautioned.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed his trust in President Trump’s judgment, stating, “I can tell you that they’re already helping a lot.” Meanwhile, Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz issued a direct and severe warning to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, holding him responsible for the attacks and declaring that “this man absolutely should not continue to exist” in order to achieve Israel’s military goals.
The coming two weeks will be crucial as the world awaits President Trump’s decision, which will undoubtedly have profound implications for the trajectory of the Iran-Israel conflict and broader regional stability. The prospect of negotiations with Iran looms, adding another layer of complexity to an already volatile situation where nuclear proliferation remains a major concern for global security.
Israel Escalates Offensive, Directly Threatens Iran’s Supreme Leader as Diplomatic Efforts Emerge, as the military conflict between Israel and Iran has reached a dangerous new phase, with Israel directly threatening Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and intensifying its assault on Iran’s nuclear program. This comes as a Washington-based human rights group reports a rapidly rising casualty toll inside Iran, while diplomatic channels show a glimmer of hope for de-escalation.
In a stark declaration, Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz held Ayatollah Ali Khamenei directly responsible for recent attacks and issued a chilling warning. “The military has been instructed and knows that in order to achieve all of its goals, this man absolutely should not continue to exist,” Katz stated. This aggressive rhetoric follows earlier reports that President Donald Trump had reportedly vetoed an Israeli plan to assassinate Khamenei, though Trump later clarified, “There are no plans to kill him — at least not for now.”
Israel’s campaign against Iran’s nuclear capabilities has broadened significantly. Key targets already hit include the Natanz uranium enrichment site, centrifuge workshops around Tehran, nuclear facilities in Isfahan, and the Arak heavy water reactor. The Israeli military explicitly stated the strike on Arak was conducted “in order to prevent the reactor from being restored and used for nuclear weapons development.” Concerns about Iran’s nuclear ambitions are heightened by its current uranium enrichment to 60% purity, which is dangerously close to the 90% required for weapons-grade material, significantly shortening any potential “breakout time” to produce a nuclear weapon.
However, the military escalation has come at a severe human cost. According to a Washington-based Iranian human rights group, Israeli strikes have claimed the lives of at least 639 people in Iran, including 263 civilians, with over 1,300 others wounded since the campaign began last Friday.
Amidst the violence, a potential diplomatic avenue has emerged. Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has announced plans to travel to Geneva for emergency talks with diplomats from the UK, France, Germany, and the EU. This move suggests that despite the heightened military activity, both sides may be open to finding a non-military resolution.
Despite international pressure for a ceasefire, President Trump has indicated his ambition extends beyond immediate cessation of hostilities. While resisting calls for direct military intervention so far, he hinted at seeking “something much bigger than just a ceasefire.” Meanwhile, Iran’s Supreme Leader has issued his own stern warning to Washington, stating that any direct US military involvement would result in “irreparable damage to them.”
The coming days will be critical as diplomatic efforts unfold against a backdrop of escalating military actions and a growing casualty count. The international community watches closely, hoping that dialogue can avert further catastrophe in a region teetering on the brink of wider conflict.
As the Middle East hurtles towards an unpredictable future, the implications of the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran resonate far beyond their immediate borders. The chilling declaration from Israel’s Defence Minister, Israel Katz, targeting Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, marks a perilous new chapter, pushing the long-simmering tensions to an unprecedented precipice. Israel issues direct threat to Iran’s Supreme Leader, a move that signifies a radical departure from conventional military engagement and underscores the depth of animosity and strategic calculation driving this conflict.
This direct challenge to the very top of Iran’s leadership, combined with the relentless expansion of Israel’s assault on Iran’s nuclear infrastructure – from Natanz and Isfahan to the Arak heavy water reactor – paints a grim picture of a region teetering on the brink. The precision and breadth of these strikes aim not just to degrade Iran’s capabilities but to send an unequivocal message, further complicated by the disturbing reports of rapidly rising civilian casualties within Iran. Every life lost fuel the cycle of vengeance, making any path to de-escalation increasingly arduous.
However, amidst this escalating military crescendo, the flickering light of diplomacy offers a fragile hope. The announcement of emergency talks in Geneva, involving Iran’s Foreign Minister and key European diplomats, is a crucial lifeline. It suggests that even as the drums of war beat louder, there remains a recognition, however faint, of the catastrophic consequences of full-scale conflict. Yet, the complex demands articulated by President Trump for “something much bigger than just a ceasefire” indicate a desire for a comprehensive resolution that addresses the fundamental geopolitical shifts he seeks, rather than merely a temporary cessation of hostilities as Trump to Announce US Role in Escalating Iran-Israel Conflict Within Two Weeks Amid Nuclear Concerns.
The coming days will be fraught with peril and opportunity. The world watches with bated breath, cognizant that the decisions made in Tel Aviv, Tehran, and Washington will not only determine the fate of millions but also profoundly reshape the global geopolitical landscape. The stark warnings from both sides – Iran’s threat of “irreparable damage” to any US direct military involvement and Israel’s unprecedented direct targeting of Khamenei – underscore the immense stakes. Whether diplomacy can prevail over the inexorable march towards confrontation, and whether a new, more stable regional order can emerge from the current chaos, remains the defining question of our time.