Trump Weighs Joining Israeli Strikes as Iran Seeks Late Talks
June 18, 2025 — Washington, D.C.
U.S. President Donald Trump said Wednesday he is considering whether the United States will join Israeli military operations against Iran. He confirmed that Tehran has reached out to initiate talks aimed at ending the conflict.
Speaking from the South Lawn of the White House during a flagpole installation ceremony, Trump told reporters that Iran had offered to send officials for negotiations, possibly even to the White House, to discuss its nuclear program. However, he described the outreach as “very late.”
“I may do it, I may not do it. Nobody knows what I’m going to do,” Trump said when asked about the possibility of U.S. airstrikes.
He emphasized that Iran is under significant pressure and appears eager to negotiate. “Iran’s got a lot of trouble, and they want to negotiate,” he stated.
Trump claimed Iranian officials had proposed high-level talks in Washington, calling the move “courageous” but acknowledged the timing could be problematic. “There’s a big difference between now and a week ago,” he said. “They’ve suggested they come to the White House. That’s not easy for them.”
Despite expressing frustration with Tehran, Trump left the door open to diplomacy. “I said it’s very late to be talking,” he noted. “But nothing is too late.”
The president reiterated his demand for Iran’s “unconditional surrender,” a stance he had emphasized on social media the day before. He also referred to Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, as an “easy target.”
Trump’s remarks come amid escalating conflict in the region, with Israel continuing its strikes on Iranian military infrastructure.
NEWS DESK
PRESS UPDATE