Fri Jun 20 00:10:00 UTC 2025: **Headline: Trump Weighs Military Action Against Iran as Region Braces for Escalation**

**Washington, D.C.** – Former President Donald Trump will decide within two weeks whether to launch a military strike against Iran, according to White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt. The announcement comes amidst escalating tensions in the Middle East, with reports of attacks and intercepted drones between Israel and Iran.

Leavitt stated that “correspondence has continued with Iran” and cited Trump’s message indicating potential for negotiations influencing his decision.

**Escalating Conflict:** Blasts have been reported near an industrial town in northwestern Iran. Iranian air defenses intercepted “hostile targets” near the Isfahan nuclear facility and shot down an Israeli drone near Tehran. Israel’s military claims to have intercepted an Iranian drone in the Dead Sea area.

**Gaza Under Attack:** Even as tensions rise with Iran, Israel has continued its attacks on Gaza, killing dozens, including civilians near aid distribution sites. Reports accuse Israeli forces of firing on crowds seeking food rations, resulting in numerous casualties.

**International Response:** Australia has suspended operations at its embassy in Tehran and is urging its citizens to leave Iran due to the “deteriorating security environment.” Foreign Minister Penny Wong has directed the departure of all Australian officials and dependents. The Australian ambassador will remain in the region.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has discussed the situation with Wong and agreed to “continue to work together closely to commit to a path of peace and ensure that Iran never develops a nuclear weapon.”

UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy met with Rubio in Washington, emphasizing the need for a diplomatic solution within the next two weeks. Lammy is scheduled to meet with his Iranian counterpart in Geneva on Friday, along with French and German foreign ministers, to discuss nuclear talks.

**Accusations of Cluster Munitions:** The Israeli embassy in Washington has accused Iran of using cluster munitions in an attack on a civilian area in Israel. The embassy stated that Iran “unlawfully fired deliberately at civilian population centers, and seeks to maximise the damage to civilians in them by using wide-dispersal munitions.”

**Other Attacks:** A grenade was thrown at the residence of the Norwegian ambassador to Israel in Tel Aviv, causing minor property damage. No injuries were reported.

**Diplomatic Efforts Underway:** Foreign ministers from the UK, France, Germany, and the EU’s top diplomat will hold nuclear talks with their Iranian counterpart in Geneva tomorrow, aiming to de-escalate the crisis.

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