Trump to decide on possible Iran strike within two weeks, White House says

The White House said on Thursday that President Donald Trump will make a decision within two weeks on whether to launch a military strike on Iran.

Citing 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."

“It is a fact and the United States government maintains this fact that Iran has never been closer to obtaining a nuclear weapon,” Leavitt said when asked whether Trump is relying on US intelligence or intelligence sharing from an ally when he says Iran is very close to a nuclear weapon.

About the possibility of a deal with Iran, she said, "Iran is in a very weak and vulnerable position because of the strikes and the attacks from Israel... And he has been very direct and clear. Iran can and should make a deal. We sent a deal to them that was practical, that was realistic, or they will face grave consequences."

Replying a question about how close Iran is to potentially build a nuclear bomb, the spokeswoman said, "Iran has all that it needs to achieve a nuclear weapon. All they need is a decision from the Supreme Leader to do that. And it would take a couple of weeks to complete the production of that weapon, which would, of course, pose an existential threat, not just to Israel, but to the United States and to the entire world."