On Monday, June 16, Trump left the G7 summit in Canada earlier than planned, citing urgent national security matters tied to the Middle East conflict. The following day, a rarely seen U.S. Air Force “Doomsday plane”—a highly secure aircraft designed to withstand nuclear events—was spotted in the sky, adding to the atmosphere of uncertainty.

While Trump has not confirmed any specific plans, sources suggest he told advisers in the White House Situation Room that he supports military options if Iran fails to engage in nuclear negotiations. “I like to make the final decision one second before it’s due,” he said, indicating that while a strike is not yet confirmed, it remains a possibility.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt added that “all options remain on the table,” emphasizing the administration’s ongoing strategic flexibility.

International Reaction

Iran’s ally, Russia, has voiced strong objections to the possibility of U.S. military involvement. Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova warned that escalating the conflict further could lead to what she described as a potential “nuclear catastrophe.” She questioned the lack of international response to recent strikes on Iranian nuclear-related facilities.

Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov also cautioned against U.S. involvement, stating that military action could “radically destabilize the entire situation.” He confirmed that Moscow has urged Washington to avoid further military moves in the region, citing ongoing casualties on both sides.

Russian President Vladimir Putin clarified that while Russia is an ally of Iran, it is not actively participating in the conflict. “We are not imposing anything,” he said. “We are simply offering our view on possible peaceful solutions, but ultimately the decisions lie with the leadership of Iran and Israel.”

Iran Responds

Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, responded to the developments by issuing a warning to the U.S., stating that any intervention would come at a high cost. “The Iranian nation will not surrender,” he said, reinforcing Iran’s determination to resist external pressure.

Meanwhile, images from Tehran have shown fires and destruction following several days of missile strikes between Israel and Iran. The violence has resulted in hundreds of Iranian casualties and injuries among Israeli civilians.

Outlook Remains Unclear

Before departing the G7 summit, Trump addressed the people of Tehran via his Truth Social platform, urging them to evacuate. He criticized Iran’s leadership for not agreeing to previous nuclear deals, adding: “Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon. I’ve said it many times.”

Speaking to reporters on June 18, Trump signaled that his patience with the situation had run out. “No more. Then we go blow up all the, you know, all the nuclear stuff that’s all over the place there,” he said.

As of now, no official decision has been announced regarding U.S. military action. However, the growing tension, regional instability, and warnings from global powers have created an atmosphere of uncertainty that continues to evolve by the hour.