Trump says he hasn't made a final decision about US striking Iran — but will ‘one second before'
WASHINGTON — President Trump hasn't made up his mind about the US joining Israel in striking Iranian nuclear sites — but said he will likely come to his decision 'one second before its due.'
The president has indicated in recent days that he's considering US involvement in Israel's conflict to stop Tehran from acquiring a nuclear weapon, but told reporters in the Oval Office Wednesday that he and his national security team were headed to the Situation Room for more deliberations.
Trump also claimed that Iranian officials have asked to come to the White House for diplomatic talks.
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'I have ideas as to what to do, but I haven't made a final — I like to make the final decision one second before it's due, because things change, especially with war. Things change with war. It can go from one extreme to the other,' he said.
4 Trump said Wednesday he hadn't made up his mind about Iran.
AP
'I'm not looking to fight. But if it's a choice between them fighting or having a nuclear weapon, you have to do what you have to do. And maybe we don't have to fight,' he went on.
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'Don't forget, we haven't been fighting. We add a certain amount of genius to everything, but we haven't been fighting at all. Israel's done a very good job today, but we'll see what happens.'
Israel began its attack on Iran Friday by taking out its top nuclear scientists and military officials responsible for the country's nuclear enrichment program.
The president told The Post Friday that he 'knew the date' the strikes would begin because he gave Iran a 60-day window to make a deal limiting its uranium enrichment.
Now, there's less of a chance of coming together diplomatically, but Trump still left the window open, saying Iran has said they want to come to Washington to talk.
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'They want to come to the White House. I may do that,' he said, noting that it's difficult for the officials to leave Tehran as Israel is launching strikes against them.
4 Heavy traffic seen in Tehran after Trump warned residents should evacuate Monday.
via REUTERS
4 Iranian Red Crescent Society members search through the rubble for victims after Israeli strikes, at an unspecified location in Iran, in this undated image released June 17, 2025.
IRCS via REUTERS
4 Smoke rises following an Israeli attack in Tehran, Iran, June 18, 2025.
via REUTERS
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Trump has held several briefings with his national security team to go over 'intelligence' related to the nearly week-long conflict.
'Everyone is ready to execute his decision. That's how this white house is. He calls play, we execute,' one White House official told The Post on how the situation room has been in the past days.
What Trump is likely looking at is the ability of Israel to eliminate Iran's Fordow nuclear facility that is stored deep inside a mountain, and may need US military equipment to take out.
'We're the only ones that have the capability to do it, but that doesn't mean I'm going to do it — at all,' Trump told reporters about the possibility of the US taking out the site.
'I've been thinking about it.'
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