White House Signals Tension and Caution as Iran-Israel Conflict Intensifies

In a high-stakes moment for global diplomacy, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt delivered a significant update regarding the intensifying standoff between Iran and Israel. Speaking during Thursday’s press briefing, Leavitt revealed that President Donald Trump has not yet decided whether to deploy bunker-buster bombs to target Iran’s heavily fortified Fordow nuclear facility.

“The president has made it clear that he is leaving the door open for potential negotiations,” Leavitt stated. “His decision on military action will come within the next two weeks, depending on developments with Iran.”

According to Leavitt, President Trump conveyed this message directly: “There’s a substantial chance for talks with Iran in the near future. I will make my decision about whether or not to go forward [with strikes] within the next two weeks.”

The Fordow Nuclear Enrichment Facility, built deep into a mountain, has long been viewed as one of Iran’s most protected sites. In recent weeks, Israeli airstrikes have targeted various Iranian military and nuclear locations, and Israeli leaders have openly called on the United States to take direct action against Fordow.

Yechiel Leiter, Israel’s Ambassador to the United States, emphasized the importance of eliminating the facility. “The Fordow center must be dismantled. It’s a key element of Iran’s nuclear ambitions, and it represents a clear and present danger,” Leiter told Fox News. “Only the U.S. has the firepower to take it out completely.”

When asked directly whether the destruction of Fordow would be a prerequisite for negotiations, President Trump did not commit. “People talk about it. Yes, we have the capability — the best military equipment in the world. But that doesn’t mean we’ll use it,” he said in the Oval Office. “We’ve got stealth aircraft flying undetected. We’ve got unmatched technology. But I haven’t made any decisions yet.”

Despite these statements, Trump struck a firm tone regarding Iran. Responding to reports that he was seeking peace talks with Tehran, the president flatly denied them.

“This is completely fabricated,” he wrote on Truth Social. “I have not reached out to Iran in any way for peace talks. If they want to talk, they know how to contact me. They should’ve accepted the deal we offered. It would’ve saved lives.”

In a follow-up post, the president demanded Iran’s “unconditional surrender,” signaling the hardline stance his administration continues to maintain.

Speaking to reporters, Trump elaborated further. “They had a good deal on the table. We gave them 60 days. They chose not to move forward. Now, they’re regretting it. Now they’re saying they want to meet. They’re even willing to come to the White House. But we’ll see.”

As the situation continues to evolve, new reports have added a layer of mystery and global intrigue. Multiple large cargo aircraft originating from China have been observed flying unusual routes near Iranian airspace, disappearing from public flight tracking systems shortly before entering the region.

According to aviation trackers, at least three Boeing 747 freighter planes departed from Chinese cities over the course of three consecutive days following Israel’s most recent strike. The aircraft were reportedly bound for Luxembourg, but none appeared to head toward Europe. Instead, they vanished after passing through Central Asia, with their last known positions near Iran.

These unexplained flight patterns have sparked speculation that Beijing may be providing covert support to Iran. The potential involvement of China has raised concerns among intelligence analysts and foreign policy experts, who warn that a broader regional or global alignment could be forming behind the scenes.

Dr. Andrea Ghiselli, an expert on China–Middle East relations, noted the suspicious timing. “These flights raise eyebrows. Given China’s historical support for Iran’s military development, including missile technology, this could indicate something deeper is happening.”

For decades, China has quietly maintained strong economic and military ties with Iran, supplying components and materials that could aid in both conventional and nuclear military capabilities. With tensions mounting in the region, any Chinese involvement could further complicate an already volatile geopolitical puzzle.

As the countdown begins toward Trump’s self-imposed two-week deadline, Washington is balancing between diplomacy and deterrence. The administration appears to be weighing potential back-channel diplomacy against the reality of military action — all while keeping a wary eye on international actors who may be influencing the conflict from behind the curtain.

For now, the world waits as President Trump decides whether the next move will come through negotiations — or through firepower.