Trump: Decision within two weeks

U.S. President Donald Trump will decide within two weeks whether to order U.S. forces to launch strikes against Iran. This comes as Israel has attacked more Iranian nuclear facilities and warned that it could overthrow Tehran’s leadership, which is bound to increase pressure on Iran and force Tehran to sit at the negotiating table. White House press secretary Levitt read out a statement from Trump at a White House press conference on Thursday. “Given the considerable possibility that we will negotiate with Iran, maybe we will negotiate, maybe we won’t, I will decide in the next two weeks whether to take action,” Trump said in the statement. Levitt reiterated that Trump’s top priority is to ensure that Iran cannot obtain nuclear weapons. Any agreement must include a ban on Iran’s uranium enrichment activities and eliminate Iran’s ability to make nuclear weapons. “The president is always interested in a diplomatic solution… Whenever there is a diplomatic opportunity, the president will pursue it. But I would also add that he is not afraid to use force.” White House press secretary Levitt said that Trump is always interested in a diplomatic solution, but he is not afraid to use force either. Levitt also said that Trump’s special envoy for the Middle East, Witkoff, has been in communication with Iranian officials, but declined to provide more details.