Trump to make decision on Iran war within two weeks, Putin and Xi condemn Israel over its strikes on Iran

U.S. President Donald Trump is weighing whether to order American military strikes on Iran, with a decision expected within two weeks, the White House confirmed on June 19. 

The announcement comes amid rising tensions between Israel and Iran following a week of deadly cross-border attacks.

White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt, citing the president during a press briefing, said: “Based on the fact that there is a substantial chance of negotiations that may or may not take place with Iran in the near future, I will make my decision in the next two weeks.”

The White House also confirmed ongoing communications between U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, despite the intensifying hostilities. According to reports, the two diplomats have held several phone calls since Israel launched a wave of strikes on Iranian military and nuclear facilities on June 13.

Sources say Araghchi told Witkoff that Iran would not return to talks unless Israel halts its offensive. The conversations also reportedly included a brief discussion of a U.S. proposal to create a regional uranium enrichment consortium outside Iranian territory.

The latest escalation occurred after Iranian missiles struck a hospital in southern Israel and residential areas near Tel Aviv on June 19, injuring at least 240 people. Tehran claimed the intended target was an Israeli military and intelligence installation.

In a forceful response, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz directly blamed Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei for the attack, stating: “The military has been instructed and knows that in order to achieve all of its goals, this man absolutely should not continue to exist.”

While it remains unclear whether the U.S. will directly enter the conflict, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu suggested American assistance is already underway: “I can tell you that they’re already helping a lot,” he said.

Earlier this week, U.S. officials said Trump had vetoed an Israeli proposal to assassinate Khamenei. The president later clarified that “there are no plans to kill him — at least not for now.”

The conflict erupted on June 13, when Israel began bombing Iranian targets in response to a major security incident. In retaliation, Iran launched missile and drone attacks on Israeli cities. Israeli officials report at least 25 fatalities and hundreds of injuries from Iranian strikes, while Iranian media say 639 people have been killed and over 1,300 wounded in Israeli assaults.

Global Response: Russia and China Condemn Israeli Actions

As the conflict entered its seventh day, international calls for restraint grew louder. Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping held a phone conversation on June 19 in which both leaders condemned Israel’s strikes and urged de-escalation.

According to Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov, both leaders “strongly condemn Israel’s actions, which violate the U.N. Charter and other norms of international law.”

Ushakov added that Moscow and Beijing are aligned in their belief that there is no military solution to the crisis, and that issues concerning Iran’s nuclear program “must be addressed exclusively through political and diplomatic means.”

Russia has warned of dire consequences should the conflict expand and has urged the U.S. not to join Israel’s military campaign. Putin has recently held talks with Trump, Netanyahu, and newly elected Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, offering Russia’s services as a mediator — though so far, none of the parties have accepted.

During his call with Xi, Putin reiterated that proposal, which the Chinese leader supported. Both leaders agreed to stay in close contact as the situation develops.