Why it matters
President Donald Trump issued a stark warning to reporters during an impromptu exchange at a New Jersey airfield, suggesting that even journalists are “in danger” amid the ongoing Israel-Iran war. His comments came as he weighed whether the U.S. should join Israel in launching strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities.
Trump: They should give me the Nobel prize for Rwanda and have you looked at the Congo? You could say Serbia. You could say a lot of them. The big one is India and Pakistan. I should have gotten it four or five times. They won't give it because they only give it to liberals. pic.twitter.com/iENHLMuigQ
— Acyn (@Acyn) June 20, 2025
Driving the news
Asked whether he was concerned that Iran or its proxies might retaliate against Americans if the U.S. took military action, Trump responded: “We’re always concerned about that, and we have to take them out and be very strong.”
He added, “You’re even in danger talking to me right now. Do you know that? You are in danger talking to me right now, so I should probably get out of here. But you guys are actually in danger. Can you believe it?”
Catch up quick
- Trump has set a two-week deadline to decide whether the U.S. will participate in military operations alongside Israel.
- The White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed the deadline, citing the possibility of upcoming negotiations with Tehran.
- Israel reportedly expects U.S. support but is not pressuring Washington for direct involvement, according to The Times of Israel.
The big picture
The current Israel-Iran war has become one of the most direct military confrontations between the two countries in years. At the core of the conflict is Iran’s nuclear program, which Israel claims is a covert effort to develop a nuclear weapon—an accusation Tehran denies, insisting its program is for peaceful energy purposes.
What they’re saying
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a press briefing: “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, [President Trump] will make his decision whether or not to go within the next two weeks.”
An Israeli official told The Times of Israel: “The expectation is that they join, but no one is pushing them. They have to make their own decision.”
What to watch
All eyes are now on the White House as the two-week deadline approaches. A decision to launch strikes could escalate the regional conflict significantly, risking broader destabilization and global fallout. At the same time, diplomatic engagement may still offer a narrow off-ramp to full-scale war.
A global media for the latest news, entertainment, music fashion, and more.
