'I may do it, I may not do it': Trump keeps Iran strike plans vague as Israel-Iran war escalates

Time of India

4 hours ago

On Wednesday, amid rising speculation that the United States could join Israeli military operations in Iran, former President Donald Trump declined to confirm any plans. 'I may do it, I may not do it. I mean, nobody knows what I'm going to do,' he told reporters from the South Lawn of the White House.
He was standing next to a new flagpole being installed — a project he appeared far more excited about. Yet the more serious backdrop was unmistakable: Tehran had just been hit by another round of explosions. Israeli jets, six days into sustained strikes, appeared to have air dominance over the Iranian capital. A huge plume of white smoke rose over the skyline. AFP reported that fresh airstrikes had rocked the city on Wednesday afternoon.
'You could have done fine'
Trump, visibly at ease with the press pool, claimed Iran was now reaching out to negotiate. 'Iran wants to negotiate,' he said. But he quickly added: 'I said it's very late.'
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
She Was The Dream Girl In The 80s, This Is Her Recently
WomenSportOnline.com
Learn More
He then blamed Iran for delaying talks. 'Why didn't you negotiate with me two weeks ago? You could have done fine. You would have had a country.'
The remarks echoed his earlier statements during the same media interaction. 'Can't say whether U.S. will strike Iran,' he said. 'Next week will be big, maybe less than a week.' He added, 'You don't seriously think I'm going to answer that question... I may do it, I may not do it.'
Live Events
Trump also suggested Iranian negotiators had proposed coming to the White House — a notion he didn't dismiss, but described as 'difficult.'
'Unconditional surrender' and 'bad intentions'
At one point, he summarised his posture in two words: 'Unconditional surrender.'
'I've had it,' he said, suggesting that Iran's nuclear programme was not to be trusted. 'They have bad intentions.' He claimed Iran was in serious trouble, repeating: 'Iran's got a lot of trouble and wants to negotiate.'
Trump also expressed personal warmth towards the Iranian people. 'I like the Iranians. I know many. They're great people,' he said, but stressed that his issue was with the regime and its nuclear ambitions.
Despite the escalating conflict, he did not commit to any immediate course of action. 'I can't say that,' he responded when asked directly if the US would strike. 'Nobody knows what I want to do.'
US military presence builds quietly
Though Trump did not reveal concrete decisions, US defence posture tells its own story. Washington has increased deployments of aircraft and warships in the region. Despite claims that the US had no initial role in Israel's surprise strike last Friday, that distance now appears to be closing.
'I want something much bigger than a ceasefire,' Trump said — a line that signals intent, even if cloaked in ambiguity.
'Told Netanyahu to keep going'
As speculation swirls, Trump acknowledged encouraging Israel's leadership. 'Told [Israel's Prime Minister] Netanyahu: keep going,' he said. Yet he also clarified that he had not given any indication that further US assistance was on the table.
The message remains deliberately murky — part threat, part performance, and fully Trump. For now, the bombs fall on Tehran, not Washington's decision desk. But that could change in a matter of days.
As Trump put it, 'Next week will be big. Maybe less than a week.'