Tensions between the United States and Iran reached a critical inflection point on Friday as Iranian officials confirmed they have rejected multiple overtures for negotiations from Washington.
The development comes as President Donald Trump issued a two-week deadline to determine whether the U.S. will launch military strikes against the Islamic Republic, following a series of escalating hostilities across the region.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi stated on state television that the U.S. has “sent messages several times” requesting dialogue. “But we clearly said that as long as this aggression doesn’t stop, there’s no place for talk of dialogue,” Araqchi said, according to The New York Post.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei further hardened Tehran’s stance, rejecting any possibility of surrender. “Wise individuals who know Iran, its people and its history never speak to this nation with the language of threats,” Khamenei said. “The Iranian nation is not one to surrender.” He warned that any U.S. military action would result in “irreparable damage.”
.@PressSec shares a message from President Trump: “Based on the fact that there’s a substantial chance of negotiations that may or may not take place with Iran in the near future, I will make my decision whether or not to go within the next two weeks.” pic.twitter.com/r3yVnbZHAC
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) June 19, 2025
The remarks follow a sharp escalation on Thursday morning, when Iran reportedly struck a major Israeli hospital, prompting urgent calls within Israel for a decisive response. President Trump, in a statement released via Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, confirmed that a decision on military action could come “within the next two weeks,” although Israeli officials believe the decision may be made far sooner—within 24 to 48 hours.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu signaled that Israel will proceed regardless of U.S. participation. “He’ll do what’s good for the United States, and I’ll do what’s good for the State of Israel,” Netanyahu said, referencing his ongoing direct communication with President Trump.
If the U.S. chooses to join Israeli efforts, reports indicate the likely use of the GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator, commonly referred to as the “bunker buster.” This weapon, capable of penetrating reinforced underground facilities, would likely be deployed against Iran’s Fordow nuclear site, which lies approximately 300 feet beneath a mountain near Qom.
In a pointed comment earlier this week, Trump said U.S. intelligence knows “exactly” where Khamenei is hiding, but clarified, “We are not going to take him out — at least not for now.”
