The president says that his patience with the Iranian regime has already run out and the opportunity for a fair deal has passed.
WASHINGTON—President Donald Trump said on June 18 that he is still considering options to address escalating tensions with Iran but has not yet reached a final decision.
Speaking to reporters before meeting with his national security team in the Situation Room, he addressed questions about the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, with Iran and Israel exchanging strikes for six consecutive days.
“I have ideas as to what to do,” Trump told reporters when asked about his plans on Iran.
“I like to make the final decision one second before it’s due,” he said. “I mean, especially with war, things change. With war, it can go from one extreme to the other.”
His comments came during a meeting with Juventus, the Italian soccer team, in the Oval Office.
Trump also predicted that the Iranian regime could fall, but said he has plans for what comes next.
“I have a plan for everything, but we’ll see what happens,” he said.
Trump said “it’s a shame” that the Iranian regime delayed negotiations and failed to finalize a deal with him within 60 days despite his warnings.
He noted that the opportunity for a fair deal has passed, making negotiations more challenging now.
“Now, they wish they did it, and they want to meet, but it’s late to meet,” Trump said. “And they want to come to the White House.”
Trump voiced doubts about whether the Iranian leaders can leave their country to meet at the White House amid the ongoing turmoil.
“It’s not that easy for them to come. They can’t get out,” he said.
‘A Few Weeks Away’
On June 13, Israeli forces launched extensive airstrikes and drone attacks on Iran, in what Israeli authorities described as a “pre-emptive strike” to prevent Tehran from developing its first nuclear weapons. The Israeli surprise attacks have damaged Iranian nuclear facilities and components of Iran’s ballistic missile program, killing key Iranian military leaders and nuclear scientists.
Iran has since retaliated by attacking Israel with ballistic missiles and drones. The salvos have continued for six days, and some have broken through Israel’s air defense networks, resulting in damage, deaths, and injuries.
Israeli officials have long said Iran is working to enrich uranium to produce nuclear weapons, which they view as an existential threat to their country.
Trump said Wednesday he believed Iran was “a few weeks away” from developing a nuclear weapon.
He reiterated that he does not want the United States to engage in fighting but said that if the alternative is Iran developing nuclear weapons, action may be necessary.
“You’re going to have to make a choice, because it’s possible that you’re going to have to fight for them not to have nuclear.”
Before the Israeli strikes, the director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said on June 9 that he was seriously concerned about Iran’s “rapid accumulation of highly enriched uranium.”
By Emel Akan
