From the Liveblog of
Wednesday, June 18, 2025
‘Nobody knows what I’m going to do’: Trump won’t say if he plans to strike Iran, says Tehran wants to negotiate
Jacob Magid is The Times of Israel's US bureau chief
US President Donald Trump declines to say whether he will order a strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities after making comments yesterday that indicated that he was leaning in that direction.
“I may do it. I may not do it. Nobody knows what I’m going to do,” Trump tells reporters outside the White House.
He laments that Iran should have agreed to a nuclear deal before his 60-day deadline that expired last week.
Trump marvels at the Israeli strike that was carried out once that deadline expired. “That was one hell of a hit… Not sustainable, to be honest. That’s where it ended. It ended on the first night,” he says, without elaborating.
He describes Iran as totally defenseless, with no air defense whatsoever, adding that he has since given Tehran the “ultimate ultimatum.”
The president claims that Iran is now interested in negotiating and has even suggested coming to the White House in order to do so.
But Trump indicates he may no longer be interested. “It’s very late for talking,” he says, reiterating that what he now wants is Iran’s “unconditional surrender.” He raises his hands to indicate surrender, and says: ‘That means, ‘I’ve had it. I give up. No more’.”
“Then we go blow up all the nuclear stuff [in Iran],” he says.
The Times of Israel Community.