President Donald Trump on Wednesday refused to confirm whether the U.S. would join Israel in striking Iran, telling reporters outside the White House, “Nobody knows what I’m going to do.”
Trump said Iran had “reached out” and wanted to negotiate, but added, “It’s very late to be talking.” He claimed Iran had offered to come to the White House for talks but did not share further details.
.@POTUS on negotiations with Iran: "Nothing is too late. The only thing too late is Powell." pic.twitter.com/g7x5b9u8Gw
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) June 18, 2025
“There’s a big difference between now and a week ago,” he said, describing Iran as “totally defenseless” with “no air defense whatsoever.”
At a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the military is “prepared to execute” any order from Trump but declined to confirm if strike plans were underway. “If and when those decisions are made, the Department is prepared to execute them,” he said.
Tensions between the U.S. and Iran remain high amid rising regional conflict.
