President Donald Trump confirmed today that he has approved military plans to strike Iran but will delay any final decision for two weeks to allow for potential negotiations over Tehran’s nuclear program. The announcement, delivered by White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt on June 19, comes amid escalating tit‑for‑tat attacks between Israel and Iran and growing international alarm over regional stability reuters.com.
Fordow: The Likely Target
American and Israeli planners have identified the Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant as the principal target in any U.S. action. Situated roughly 300 feet beneath a mountain near Qom, Fordow houses advanced centrifuges enriching uranium up to 60 percent purity. Analysts warn that conventional bunker‑busters such as the U.S. Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP) may require multiple drops to breach its deep concrete vaults, and even then success is uncertain reuters.comcbsnews.com. Meanwhile, Pentagon officials have positioned B‑2 bombers and other assets in the region as a deterrent.
Diplomatic Overture and Pushback
Despite approving attack preparations, Mr. Trump has repeatedly signaled a preference for diplomacy. Leavitt noted that Iran “has all that it needs to achieve a nuclear weapon” and that “a decision from the supreme leader could complete the process in a matter of weeks” reuters.com. Yet Iranian officials have publicly rebuffed overtures, with the United Nations mission in New York declaring that Tehran “does not negotiate under duress” and will only discuss its program on its own terms. At the same time, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi offered a conditional willingness to resume talks, provided sanctions relief accompanies any serious nuclear freeze discussions.
The Two‑Week Timeline
By setting a two‑week deadline, the White House appears to be buying time for international partners to engage Tehran. European foreign ministers, including those from Germany, France, and the United Kingdom, plan to meet with Iranian envoys in Geneva this week. Trump’s pause also allows him to gauge Republican support at home, where hawkish lawmakers urge swift action and isolationist factions warn against open‑ended military commitments reuters.com.
Regional and Global Reactions
Israel has welcomed U.S. restraint, viewing American involvement as vital to crippling Iran’s nuclear infrastructure. Conversely, U.S. allies such as the United Kingdom and Germany have urged caution, fearing that direct intervention could trigger wider conflict and disrupt global oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz. Russia and China have condemned any strike, calling instead for renewed adherence to the 2015 nuclear accord framework.
Brief Analysis
It makes sense that President Trump seeks a narrow window before striking Iran: diplomacy, however unlikely, offers a chance to avoid war with a major power. Yet this approach carries risks. By publicly setting a deadline, the administration invites criticism if talks fail—and if they succeed, Iran will gain leverage by simply waiting out the clock. Moreover, the two‑week timeline may prove too short for the complex inspections and mutual confidence‑building measures needed to curb enrichment. Ultimately, this decision‑by‑press‑release strategy could undermine U.S. credibility whether shots are fired or not.
