Will the US enter the conflict? - 'Nobody knows what I'm going to do' Trump says as Israel and Iran continue to trade blows

U.S. President Donald Trump has already approved a set of plans to attack nuclear sites in Iran, however, he has not decided whether to proceed with those plans, according to reports in U.S. media.

The Wall Street Journal reported that Trump is waiting to see if Iran will agree to abandon its nuclear program before deciding to order the strikes. 

“I have ideas on what to do but I haven’t made a final [decision] – I like to make the final decision one second before it’s due, because things change, especially with war,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office on Wednesday. 

Earlier in the day, speaking at the installation of new flag poles in the White House’s South Lawn, Trump answered questions from reporters about Iran. 

Asked about the possibility of a U.S. strike on Iranian nuclear facilities, Trump responded, “I can't say that right [now].” 

“You don't seriously think I'm going to answer that question?” Trump asked, before mockingly saying, “Will you strike the Iranian nuclear component? And what time exactly, sir? Sir, would you strike it? Would you please inform us that we can be there and watch?”  

“I mean, you don't know that I'm going to even do it. You don't know,” Trump stated. “I may do it. I may not do it. I mean, nobody knows what I'm going to do.” 

Asked if he had a message for Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Trump responded, “I say good luck.” 

According to reports in the Wall Street Journal and ABC news, Trump is concerned about the political consequences among his supporters should he make a decision to attack, as well as the potential geopolitical consequences in the Middle East. 

CNN reported that President Trump is waiting to see what Israel is able to accomplish with its operation this week before making a decision. The news agency said that Trump wants to avoid a prolonged conflict as well as an escalation that could see U.S. forces in the area targeted by the Iranian military or its proxies in the region. 

President Trump repeated his insistence for Iran’s unconditional surrender, and said, “The next week is going to be very big, maybe less than a week.” 

Meanwhile, Iranian Supreme Leader Khamenei has rejected Trump’s call for “unconditional surrender,” warning that U.S. involvement in the conflict will bring “irreparable damage to them.” 

"The Iranian nation will not surrender,” Khamenei continued. 

Israel and Iran continue to trade blows as the conflict enters its seventh day, with IAF planes striking the heavy water reactor at Arak, while Iran responds with further ballistic missile attacks, one of which hit a hospital in Beersheba, located in southern Israel.

U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham encouraged Trump to “go all in” on destroying Iran’s nuclear sites. 

"Israel dominates the skies and has destroyed Iran's military and scientific leadership,” Graham wrote on social media. "They have also done great damage to Iran's nuclear infrastructure. However, the one site left standing – the deep underground Fordow site – must be dealt with to achieve the common objective of making sure Iran's nuclear enrichment program ends.” 

Asked what his message is to Americans who are concerned about the U.S. getting involved in another Middle East conflict, Trump responded, "I don't want to get involved either, but I've been saying for 20 years, maybe longer, that Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon.” 

"You know, I believe they’d use it," Trump opined regarding a potential Iranian nuclear weapon. "Others won't use it, but I believe they’d use it. So that's it. It's very simple, as far as I'm concerned. They can't have a nuclear weapon.”