Israel-Iran Conflict Highlights: Trump to decide on US involvement ‘within two weeks’ as Iran-Israel conflict enters 7th day

Israel-Iran Conflict Highlights: Amid the ongoing growing hostilities, the United States is now weighing its role. The White House has confirmed that President Donald Trump is likely to decide ”within two weeks” whether the US will get involved on Israel’s behalf. The conflict between the two heavily armed nations, Iran and Israel, has entered its seventh day. Iran launched a barrage of missiles into Israel, which damaged four key sites in central and southern regions. Among the affected locations was Soroka Medical Centre, the largest hospital in southern Israel, which suffered “extensive damage,” according to Israeli officials. At least 47 people have been reported injured in these Iranian strikes.

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Israel hits back: Israeli forces, in response to this, have intensified strikes on Iran. It targeted its Arak heavy water reactor, a critical nuclear facility. The attack came just hours after Israel issued evacuation warnings to civilians in Iran.

It also said that it struck an inactive nuclear reactor in Arak, which is a key component in plutonium production; a nuclear weapons development site, Ballistic missile & air defence production facilities, and Radar systems & missile storage sites.

‘I may do it, I may not,’ says Trump on US involvement: US President Donald Trump said that he is unsure if he will join the ongoing conflict in the Mideast. “I may do it, I may not do it… Nobody knows what I’m going to do,” Trump said. He added that he prefers to make decisions “one second before it’s due”. 

Earlier, US President Donald Trump said that they know Khamenei’s whereabouts and that he is an “easy target”. He also said that the US will not kill him at the moment and demanded an “unconditional surrender” from Iran. 

“We know exactly where the so-called ‘Supreme Leader’ is hiding. He is an easy target, but is safe there – We are not going to take him out (kill!), at least not for now. But we don’t want missiles shot at civilians or American soldiers. Our patience is wearing thin,” Trump wrote on Truth Social, before demanding Iran’s “unconditional surrender” in a separate post. 

‘Battle has begun,’ declared Iran: Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei declared war on Israel yesterday, adding that they will show no mercy to Zionists. 

“We must give a strong response to the terrorist Zionist regime. We will show the Zionists no mercy,” Khamenei wrote on X (formerly known as Twitter). In another post, he wrote, “The battle begins”. It accompanies a poster of a man entering a cave set on fire with a sword and lions on either side as others look at him. It is a reference to the historic Battle of Khaybar.

He also warned that the US military involvement would cause “irreparable damage to them”.

Iran said that it would not “grovel at the gates of the White House,” rejecting the idea of backing down in the face of American or Israeli aggression.

Russia offers to mediate: Russian President Vladimir Putin has offered to mediate between Iran and Israel. He proposed helping broker an agreement that would allow Iran to pursue a peaceful nuclear program while addressing Israel’s security concerns. According to reports, the proposal has been shared with leaders in Iran, Israel, and the United States.

Diplomatic efforts are also underway, with high-ranking European diplomats expected to hold nuclear talks with Iran on Friday. The discussions, reported by the Associated Press, are aimed at de-escalating the crisis, though the United States is not expected to participate at this stage. Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi reaffirmed the country’s position, stating that Iran remains “committed to diplomacy” and reiterated that it does not seek, and has never sought, nuclear weapons.

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in contrast, emphasised that their military offensive is not aimed at the Iranian people. “We are doing everything we can to protect them,” he told Iran International, before adding, “That’s the difference between a terrorist regime and a democracy like ours, fighting a just war with just means.”

Why did Israel attack Iran? The attack came after tensions between Iran and the international community escalated sharply after Tehran announced the activation of a third nuclear enrichment facility. The announcement came just hours after the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) issued its first formal censure against Iran in two decades, criticising its failure to meet nuclear non-proliferation commitments. However, it confirmed that no increase in radiation levels has been observed at the Natanz nuclear site, Iran’s largest uranium enrichment facility.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu launched “Operation Rising Lion” against Iran and stated the attack was on “the heart of Iran’s ballistic missiles program”. He asserted strikes would continue “for as long as it takes to remove this threat”. IDF Chief of Staff Lt Gen Eyal Zamir emphasised the urgency of the operation, saying, “We had reached the point of no return. Freedom is granted to those willing to fight for it.”

War casualties: Iran’s health ministry reported that at least 224 Iranians have been killed in Israeli strikes since Friday, while the Israeli death toll has climbed to 24. 500 people in Israel have been injured in the ongoing conflict. Despite repeated international calls for de-escalation, tensions continue to spiral.