Trump will decide on whether to attack Iran within 2 weeks: White House

Washington: The White House on Thursday said that President Donald Trump will make a decision within the next two weeks on whether to launch a military strike against Iran. The announcement comes amid rising tensions between Washington and Tehran over the Israel-Iran conflict.
Quoting a message from Trump, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters, “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.”
Leavitt said that while Trump is open to a diplomatic solution with Iran, his main priority remains preventing the country from acquiring a nuclear weapon. She added that any agreement must ban uranium enrichment by Tehran and dismantle its capacity to develop nuclear arms.
“The president is always interested in a diplomatic solution…he is a peacemaker in chief. He is the peace through strength president. And so if there’s a chance for diplomacy, the president’s always going to grab it,” Leavitt said.
“But he’s not afraid to use strength as well I will add,” she added.
This follows reports that Trump has expressed support for plans to strike Iran but has yet to issue a final order. According to the Wall Street Journal, Trump is holding off to see whether Iran halts its nuclear programme before deciding on the next steps.
On being asked if he had made a decision to attack Iran, Trump said earlier, “I may do it, I may not do it.” He added, “The next week is going to be very big, maybe less than a week.”
Israel carried out strikes on nuclear-related targets in Iran on Thursday, prompting a retaliatory barrage of missiles and drones from Tehran, including one that damaged a hospital in Beersheba.
After an overnight Iranian strike hit the Soroka Medical Centre in southern Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned of severe consequences. “Tehran’s tyrants will pay the full price,” he said.