Author: Al Jazeera Staff
Published on: 18/06/2025 | 00:00:00

AI Summary:
President Donald Trump has continued to offer mixed signals about whether the United States would directly intervene in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran. The Republican leader began his Wednesday on the White House lawn, where he installed two giant flagpoles, each 88 feet — or 27 metres — high. During that appearance, Trump was confronted with the question looming over the Middle East conflict: Would the US join Israel in striking Iran’s nuclear facilities? “I don’t want to fight either. I’m not looking to fight,” Trump said. The Trump administration has described Israel’s initial strike on June 13 as a “unilateral action” But the president himself has signalled that he knew of the attack in advance. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the US military would be ready if called upon. Critics have warned that Trump may be building the case for US involvement in the conflict between Israel and Iran by highlighting the risk of Iran’s uranium enrichment facilities. Israel too has pointed to the possibility of an Iranian nuclear weapon as its rationale for launching the first strike. Stalled negotiations Negotiations with the US came to standstill after Israel’s June 13 strike, which spiralled into a heated exchange of missile fire. Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht Ravanchi dismissed reports that his officials were trying to get negotiations with the US back on track. Khamenei himself said US involvement in the conflict would have “serious irreparable consequences” and denounced Trump’s threats. Repeated calls for ‘unconditional surrender’ Trump said the conflict could be resolved simply by assuring Iran did not get its hands on a nuclear weapon. Death toll in Iran has reportedly risen to 240, including 70 women and children. He warned that the upcoming week would “be very big”.

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