Trump's Iran Gambit Is He Playing for Time, or Playing Us All?

Article Heading: Has Trump Delayed Action on Iran Conflict by Two Weeks?

The situation in the Middle East remains tense, with all eyes on Washington as speculation swirls regarding potential US involvement in the ongoing Israel-Iran conflict. This week, former President Donald Trump has seemingly shifted his stance, leaving many wondering about the true intentions behind his pronouncements. Has he genuinely postponed a decision, or is this just another strategic maneuver?

On Thursday, the White House indicated that Trump would decide on the US's next steps concerning the Israel-Iran conflict within the next two weeks. This announcement followed a week of mounting anticipation that the US might assist Israel in strikes against Iran, allegedly aimed at dismantling Iran's nuclear program. A key request from Israel has been for the US to provide "bunker buster" bombs, capable of penetrating deep into facilities like the Fordow nuclear site.

Trump's Shifting Statements: A Timeline

• Initial Response: Following Israel's initial attacks on Iran on June 13, the Trump administration initially labeled it a "unilateral action," denying prior involvement.
• Contradictory Claims: During the G7 summit in Canada, Trump asserted that Iran was "very close" to acquiring a nuclear weapon, contradicting US intelligence reports. This contrasted with his May statements suggesting that a nuclear deal between Tehran and Washington was within reach.
• Ambiguous Stance: On Wednesday, Trump remained noncommittal about potential US involvement, stating, "I may do it. I may not do it. I mean, nobody knows what I'm going to do."
• Two-Week Window: Finally, on Thursday, Trump appeared to set a two-week deadline for successful negotiations with Iran before considering military action.

What Does This Delay Really Mean?

The White House has been careful not to definitively state whether this two-week period constitutes a firm deadline or signals an impending attack. As White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt stated:

“Based on the fact that there’s a substantial chance of negotiations that may or may not take place with Iran in the near future, I will make my decision whether or not to go within the next two weeks.”

Leavitt emphasized Trump's preference for diplomatic solutions, describing him as a "peacemaker-in-chief" who is "not afraid to use strength as well."

Conflicting Interpretations

Experts are divided on the implications of Trump's announcement:

• Negotiation Tactic? Some analysts, like Jamal Abdi of the National Iranian American Council, believe Trump is using the threat of military action to pressure Iran into accepting stringent demands regarding its nuclear program.
• Strategic Repositioning? Mona Yacoubian of the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) suggests the two-week period could allow the US to deploy additional forces to the region, preparing for potential involvement in the conflict.
• Genuine Uncertainty? Others, like Iranian American analyst Negar Mortazavi, express uncertainty about Trump's true intentions, highlighting the president's history of contradictory statements and actions.

Trump's History with Deadlines

It's worth noting that Trump has previously set similar deadlines related to Iran's nuclear program, the Russia-Ukraine war, and global trade tariffs, but has not always adhered to them. Yacoubian notes:

“Imposing deadlines stands as perhaps the one predictable element of Trump’s approach to finding solutions to complex problems,”

Past Examples Include:

1. Iran-Israel conflict: Trump gave Iran a 60-day deadline to negotiate an agreement over its nuclear programme.
2. Russia-Ukraine War: Trump set a two-week deadline to determine if Putin was willing to end the conflict.
3. Trade Tariffs: Trump has announced pauses and delays to his on-again-off-again trade tariffs.

The Unpredictable Road Ahead

As Yacoubian aptly puts it, "It's extremely difficult to predict what will happen next." Trump's unconventional negotiating style and "from-the-gut" decision-making approach make the coming days exceptionally unpredictable. Whether this "two-week" window is a genuine deadline, a negotiation tactic, or simply a reflection of the former President's ever-shifting strategy remains to be seen.

In conclusion, while the two-week delay may offer a glimmer of hope for diplomatic progress, it also serves as a stark reminder of the uncertainties that define the current geopolitical landscape. The world watches and waits, hoping for a path towards de-escalation and stability in the Middle East.

Tags: Trump, Iran, Israel, US action, Negotiation, Fordow, Nuclear program, Bunker buster, US policy, Middle East

Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/6/20/has-trump-put-off-joining-the-israel-iran-conflict-for-two-weeks