US President Donald Trump on Friday said Iran had a "maximum" of two weeks to avoid potential American airstrikes, signaling he may act even before the deadline he set a day earlier.
"I'm giving them a period of time, and I would say two weeks would be the maximum," Trump told reporters when asked whether a decision to strike could come sooner.
He said the goal was to see "whether or not people come to their senses" and downplayed the ongoing diplomatic push by European nations, saying, "Iran doesn't want to speak to Europe. They want to speak to us."
"Europe will not be able to help them with this one," he added, referring to talks in Geneva involving Britain, France, Germany and the EU.
Trump downplayed the idea of asking Israel to stop its attacks, despite Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warning that it won’t resume talks with the US unless the strikes end.
"It’s very hard to make that request right now," Trump told reporters as he arrived in Morristown, New Jersey.
"If somebody's winning, it's a little bit harder to do than if somebody's losing, but we're ready, willing and able, and we've been speaking to Iran, and we'll see what happens," he added.
Earlier, on Thursday, Trump had said he would decide "within the next two weeks" whether to launch a strike, citing a "substantial chance of negotiations" with Iran.
However, his Friday comments suggest that the decision could come sooner if Iran shows no movement on rolling back its nuclear ambitions.
"I'm giving them a period of time, and I would say two weeks would be the maximum," Trump told reporters when asked whether a decision to strike could come sooner.
.@POTUS on Iran: "I'm giving them a period of time — and I would say two weeks would be the maximum." pic.twitter.com/V4X3T5XnJR
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) June 20, 2025
He said the goal was to see "whether or not people come to their senses" and downplayed the ongoing diplomatic push by European nations, saying, "Iran doesn't want to speak to Europe. They want to speak to us."
"Europe will not be able to help them with this one," he added, referring to talks in Geneva involving Britain, France, Germany and the EU.
🚨 JUST IN: President Trump clowns on Europe for being unhelpful with the Iran talks
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) June 20, 2025
"Nah, Europe didn't help at all. Iran doesn't want to talk to Europe. They want to talk to us.
Europe will not be able to help them with this one." pic.twitter.com/PDRzHfnZxs
Trump downplayed the idea of asking Israel to stop its attacks, despite Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warning that it won’t resume talks with the US unless the strikes end.
"It’s very hard to make that request right now," Trump told reporters as he arrived in Morristown, New Jersey.
"If somebody's winning, it's a little bit harder to do than if somebody's losing, but we're ready, willing and able, and we've been speaking to Iran, and we'll see what happens," he added.
Earlier, on Thursday, Trump had said he would decide "within the next two weeks" whether to launch a strike, citing a "substantial chance of negotiations" with Iran.
However, his Friday comments suggest that the decision could come sooner if Iran shows no movement on rolling back its nuclear ambitions.
You may also like
IDY 2025: India becoming global destination for healing, says PM Modi
Morning news wrap: On International Yoga Day, PM Modi stresses peace through Yoga; Neeraj Chopra wins first Diamond League in two years with 88.16m throw & more
UAE residents opt for popular summer destinations that cater to Muslim families
Tragic Incident at Keonjhar School: Student Injured by Falling Plaster
International Yoga Day: What are the misconceptions about how to start yoga? know here..
