In brief
On June 19, 2025, a missile fired from Iran struck the Soroka Medical Center in southern Israel during an ongoing military confrontation. President Trump announced he would determine within two weeks whether the U.S. would participate militarily in Israel's operation against Iran, particularly aimed at curbing its nuclear ambitions. At a press conference, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt conveyed Mr. Trump's statement, which hinted at the possibility of negotiations between the U.S. and Iran. The situation has intensified since Israel's airstrikes on Iran last week prompted Iranian missile and drone retaliation on critical Israeli cities, including Tel Aviv.
With European officials preparing for a dialogue with Iranian representatives aimed at de-escalation, it remains uncertain what impact the talks will have, as both Israeli and U.S. officials are absent from the discussions. Iran's foreign ministry spokesman, Esmail Baghaei, indicated that the conversations would concern the nuclear program and the current state of regional hostilities. Leavitt reiterated that any agreement with Iran must ensure that it halts uranium enrichment and nuclear weapons development—an assertion President Trump has consistently made.
