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, Trump 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.
“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, an 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 said 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.
‘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 on June 18 that he believed that 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.”
‘I Say Good Luck’
On the morning of June 18, the president was also asked about Iranian leader Ali Khamenei’s warning earlier that day that U.S. strikes targeting Iran would “result in irreparable damage for them,” and that his country would not heed Trump’s call for unconditional surrender.
“I say good luck,” Trump responded to reporters when asked about Khamenei’s remarks, during the installation of flagpoles on the South Lawn .
When asked when his patience runs out with Iran, Trump said: “It’s already run out. That’s why we’re doing what we’re doing.”
Iran’s Nuclear Program
The IAEA confirmed that two Iranian centrifuge production facilities were hit in Israeli airstrikes. The confirmation came a day after the agency said Israeli strikes last week had damaged Iran’s Natanz nuclear facility.
Prior to Israel’s surprise attack, Trump administration officials had held multiple talks with their Iranian counterparts to curb Iran’s nuclear ambitions. The United States was part of a 2015 agreement designed to restrain Iran’s nuclear program, but in 2018, Trump withdrew from the deal, stating that it fell short in addressing security issues and protecting U.S. interests.
The destruction of Iran’s Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant is not a prerequisite for a deal with Iran, Trump told reporters during the Oval Office meeting.
He said he has not decided whether to attack the nuclear plant, which is deep underground and would require bunker-busting bombs. Currently, only the United States has both the bomb and the bomber to carry out such an attack.
Meanwhile, U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee announced that the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem is working on evacuation flights and cruise departures.
