President Donald Trump is toying with the idea of bombing Iran’s nuclear facilities, and the Middle East is holding its breath. On Wednesday, June 18, 2025, he teased reporters outside the White House with a cryptic, “I may do it. I may not do it.”
Fox News reported that Trump hinted at military strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites as Israel and Iran trade airstrikes, escalating tensions and threatening a wider conflict.
He’s pushing for a nuclear deal with Iran, but the situation is a powder keg. Iran’s withdrawal from scheduled talks in Oman last Friday only fuels the fire.
Trump’s Wednesday remarks were vintage showmanship, promising a “very big” week ahead for U.S. decisions on Iran.
He believes Iran is inches from a nuclear weapon, a red line he’s drawn for years. “This is just not a threat you can have,” he declared, doubling down on his long-standing stance.
Iran’s capital, Tehran, is grappling with serious troubles, Trump noted, as it scrambles to negotiate. He lamented Iran’s refusal to talk earlier, saying, “Why didn’t you negotiate with me two weeks ago?” His frustration underscores a missed chance to avoid the current chaos.
Back in February 2025, Trump signed an executive order slamming Iran with sanctions on its oil exports. The “maximum economic pressure” strategy aims to choke Iran’s economy and force compliance. It’s a bold move, but skeptics wonder if it’s pushing Iran toward war, not talks.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman, Esmail Baghaei, warned that U.S. involvement would spark an “all-out war” in the region.
His Al Jazeera English interview was a shot across the bow, signaling Iran’s readiness to escalate. Baghaei’s words aren’t empty—Tehran’s actions prove they’re not bluffing.
On Thursday, June 19, 2025, Israel unleashed massive airstrikes on Iran’s nuclear sites, claiming to have killed several top Iranian military leaders. Iran hit back hard, launching retaliatory strikes against Israel the same day. The tit-for-tat violence has the region on edge.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio initially distanced the U.S. from Israel’s attacks, insisting America wasn’t involved.
Trump, however, admitted to Reuters he knew about the strikes beforehand. That revelation raises questions about how closely the U.S. is coordinating with Israel.
Trump’s offer of an “ultimate ultimatum” to Iran sounds like a high-stakes poker game. “Maybe you could call it the ultimate — the ultimate ultimatum, right?” he quipped to reporters. It’s a flashy phrase, but without clear terms, it risks being more bluster than strategy.
Despite the brinkmanship, Trump believes Israel and Iran could strike a deal to end their conflict. His optimism seems ambitious given the fresh wounds from Thursday’s airstrikes. A deal would require both sides to climb down from their war footing—a tall order.
Trump’s fixation on stopping Iran’s nuclear ambitions is consistent, as he reminded reporters: “You know, if you go back 15 years, I was saying we cannot let Iran get a nuclear weapon.” His resolve is clear, but the path to enforcing it is murky. Diplomacy or destruction—Trump’s choice looms large.
Iran’s decision to ditch the Oman talks suggests they’re not ready to play ball. Trump’s sanctions and Israel’s strikes may be squeezing Tehran, but they’re also hardening its stance. Baghaei’s war warning shows Iran’s leaders are digging in, not backing down.
Trump’s coy “nobody knows what I’m going to do” keeps allies and adversaries guessing. It’s a tactic that’s worked for him before, but the Middle East isn’t a boardroom. Miscalculate here, and the consequences could be catastrophic.
The U.S. faces a delicate balancing act: support Israel, pressure Iran, and avoid a regional inferno. Trump’s admission of prior knowledge about Israel’s strikes ties him closer to the conflict than Rubio’s denials suggested. That overlap could drag America into the crossfire.
