Trump Addresses Escalating Iran-Israel Conflict in Oval Office Press Conference
“We’re not looking for a ceasefire. We’re looking for a total, complete victory," he stated.
By Kamaran Aziz
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday, June 18, 2025, held a wide-ranging press conference in the Oval Office, offering insights into the White House’s stance on the ongoing Iran-Israel conflict and broader Middle East tensions. Trump fielded questions from journalists on matters of war, diplomacy, nuclear threats, and U.S. involvement, underscoring his unpredictability and strategic ambiguity.
No Final Decision Yet on Iran
While confirming he has not made a final decision on U.S. military action in the region, Trump emphasized that any determination would be made at the last possible moment. “I have ideas as to what to do, but I haven’t made a final. I like to make the final decision one second before it’s due, you know, because things change,” he said, noting that “war is very bad” and lamenting the “death and destruction” it brings.
Trump revealed he had a scheduled meeting later in the Situation Room to further assess developments, indicating that deliberations were ongoing.
Frustration Over Failed Deal with Iran
The President expressed frustration over the collapse of past nuclear negotiations with Iran, stating, “They should have made the deal. I had a great deal for them. They should have made that deal. Sixty days, we talked about it. And in the end, they decided not to do it. And now they wish they did it.”
According to Trump, Iranian officials are now seeking a meeting with him at the White House — a request he has not ruled out. “They wanna come to the White House. They’ll even come to the White House. So we’ll see. I may do that… but it’s a shame… could’ve been done the easy way.”
Red Lines and Military Capabilities
When asked if dismantling Iran’s Fordow nuclear enrichment site would be a red line in any future deal, Trump dismissed the idea of a rigid precondition. “No. It’s just something that people talk about having. We’re the only ones that have the capability to do it, but that doesn’t mean I’m going to do it at all.”
He reaffirmed American military dominance, highlighting stealth aircraft and advanced weaponry: “We have the best military equipment in the world… planes that are undetectable… We have the best weapons in the world by far. Nobody close.”
Strategic Coordination with Allies
Trump confirmed ongoing communication with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and acknowledged the complexity of their alliance. “We talk, and I’d like to see everything done. I would have preferred having just an agreement, a strong agreement, you know, verifiable agreement,” he said.
He also disclosed meetings with key regional stakeholders, including the Chief of Staff of the Pakistani Army. “They know Iran very well… they see what’s going on, and he agreed with me,” Trump stated, praising both India and Pakistan for avoiding further escalation and highlighting their roles as nuclear powers.
“Iran Can’t Have a Nuclear Weapon”
In one of the press conference’s most forceful declarations, Trump reiterated a longstanding U.S. red line: “Iran can’t have a nuclear weapon. Too much devastation. And they’d use it. You know, I believe they’d use it. Others won’t use it, but I believe they’d use it.”
He acknowledged the difficult choices ahead, referencing opposition among conservatives such as Tucker Carlson and Senator Ted Cruz. “If it’s a choice between fighting and them having a nuclear weapon, you have to do what you have to do… there’s no way that you can allow… Iran to have a nuclear weapon because the entire world will blow up. Not gonna let that happen.”
Diplomatic Friction at the G7
The President also addressed a disagreement with French President Emmanuel Macron during the recent G7 summit, criticizing Macron’s use of the term “ceasefire.” “It’s a bad term to use… We’re not looking for a ceasefire. We’re looking for a total complete victory. Again, you know what the victory is. No nuclear weapon.”
‘My supporters are America First’
Asked about supporters divided over the course of action, Trump defended his core base: “My supporters are America First. They make America great again. My supporters don’t wanna see Iran have a nuclear weapon.”
Though he maintained that diplomacy could still be on the table, Trump made clear that the U.S. will not tolerate a nuclear-armed Iran. As tensions escalate and regional actors mobilize, the President’s comments underline the high stakes and limited room for error in the unfolding crisis.