Trump sets conditions before possible Iran strike
BY Libyan Express Jun 20, 2025 - 06:30 Trump weighs Iran strike amid talks of diplomacy. Photo via AFP
Axios reported on Thursday that US President Donald Trump is carefully weighing whether to authorise military strikes against Iran, with three main conditions guiding his decision: the necessity of the action, avoiding prolonged US involvement in the Middle East, and ensuring the operation would effectively neutralise Iran's nuclear programme.
White House spokesperson Caroline Leavitt stated that Trump's position on Iran 'should not come as a surprise' and highlighted the possibility of negotiations with Tehran in the near future. She added that the president intends to make a final decision on military intervention within two weeks, depending on how diplomatic talks progress.
US officials also revealed that Trump held a third meeting in three days with his national security team to discuss possible responses to the situation involving Iran. The president is reportedly considering supporting Israel's actions against Iran but emphasises the need to meet the outlined conditions before proceeding.
Israeli sources indicated they expect a decision from Washington regarding US participation in military operations against Iran within the next 24 to 48 hours. However, the White House has signalled that the final decision could take up to two weeks.
The situation remains fluid as diplomatic efforts continue alongside military preparations. The views expressed in Op-Ed pieces are those of the author and do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of Libyan Express.
How to submit an Op-Ed: Libyan Express accepts opinion articles on a wide range of topics. Submissions may be sent to oped@libyanexpress.com. Please include 'Op-Ed' in the subject line.
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