President Donald Trump said Wednesday that he has not yet decided whether the United States will join Israel’s military strikes on Iran, signaling both restraint and readiness in response to the escalating regional conflict.
While Trump did not rule out military involvement, he stressed that it’s still possible to reach a deal with Tehran over its nuclear program — even as Israeli airstrikes and Iranian missile attacks push the situation closer to the brink.
Trump Keeps Options Open
Speaking to reporters, Trump was characteristically non-committal when asked if the U.S. would take part in Israel’s current military campaign.
“I may do it, I may not do it, nobody knows what I’m going to do,” he said, underscoring the unpredictability of his foreign policy approach.
Though critical of Iran’s nuclear ambitions, Trump insisted that it was “not too late” to pursue a deal with the Islamic Republic.
He revealed that Iranian officials had recently sought to reinitiate dialogue, even proposing to send a delegation to Washington.
Still, he warned, “It’s very late to be talking,” especially after nearly a week of Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear and military infrastructure.
Iran Responds with Defiance and Threats
Iran’s reaction to Trump’s remarks was swift and hostile. In a social media post, its mission to the United Nations denied seeking talks and issued a scathing statement condemning Trump’s threats.
The post declared that Iran “does NOT negotiate under duress” and warned of reciprocal action for any U.S. aggression.
Iranian officials also issued clear warnings against U.S. involvement in the conflict, with Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei stating that American intervention would trigger an “all-out war.”
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei went further, claiming that any U.S. military action would result in “irreparable damage” and calling Trump’s demand for “unconditional surrender” unacceptable.
Israel Steps Up Airstrikes, Hits Nuclear Sites
The conflict intensified Wednesday as Israel launched another round of airstrikes on Iranian territory.
According to Israel Defense Forces spokesman Brigadier General Effie Defrin, the latest strikes involved more than 50 fighter jets targeting critical parts of Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, including a centrifuge production site.
The International Atomic Energy Agency confirmed that two facilities previously under international monitoring — the TESA Karaj workshop and the Tehran Research Center — were hit. These sites were once part of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), the nuclear deal that Trump pulled the U.S. out of in 2018.
Iran Retaliates with Missile Barrages
In response, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard launched another wave of missiles at Israeli targets.
Although Israel’s air defense systems intercepted most of them, explosions were seen in the skies over Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.
Reports indicate at least 24 Israeli casualties from missile strikes that breached defenses, while Iranian death tolls have reportedly surpassed 450, including both civilians and military personnel.
Iranian state media has been largely silent on casualty figures since the weekend, but human rights groups based outside the country have cited far higher numbers.
Video footage from Tehran showed long lines of cars fleeing the capital, as Trump earlier urged Iranian civilians to evacuate immediately.
Mixed Signals from Washington and Tel Aviv
Despite the rising tensions, sources familiar with the matter say Israel has not asked the U.S. to participate in its military campaign.
American officials confirm that any decision would rest solely with Trump and his inner circle. Opinions remain divided within the administration, with some advisors pushing for direct intervention and others advocating caution.
Nevertheless, the U.S. military has begun moving additional assets to Europe, possibly positioning forces for rapid deployment.
Analysts noted that at least 30 U.S. refueling aircraft have arrived in Spain, Scotland, and England over the past three days, a sign that preparations for potential long-range operations in the Middle East are underway.
Escalation Raises Regional and Global Concerns
The steady exchange of strikes between Israel and Iran has sparked fears of a broader conflict that could engulf the region. Both countries remain defiant, unwilling to de-escalate or back down.
The Trump administration has maintained that it is not currently engaged in combat operations, but the movement of military assets and the president’s escalating rhetoric suggest that involvement is increasingly likely.
Trump, who has long criticized Iran’s regime and vowed to dismantle its nuclear capabilities, made his position clear:
“They were bullies. They were schoolyard bullies, and now they’re not bullies anymore.”
