President Trump has authorized detailed attack plans against Iran but has paused on executing the final strike—marking a tense moment in global diplomacy and military brinkmanship. Sources from both the Defense Department and intelligence community confirmed that while the plans are locked in, Trump is holding out in hopes that Tehran will abandon its nuclear ambitions.

Speaking to reporters Wednesday, Trump gave insight into his decision-making process, saying, “I like to make the final decision one second before it’s due, because things change, especially with war.” The statement underscored his characteristic unpredictability. “I may do it. I may not do it,” he added, stressing his openness to negotiations—if Iran is willing.

That prospect appears slim. Iran’s leaders flatly rejected diplomatic overtures on Wednesday, declaring, “We do NOT negotiate under duress.” Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei went further, threatening “irreparable damage” should the U.S. intervene militarily.

In a sharply worded post on Truth Social, Trump acknowledged Iran’s top figure, writing: “He is an easy target, but is safe there — We are not going to take him out (kill!), at least not for now.” That message, while blunt, suggested that Trump remains in control of escalation, even as he holds back lethal force.

Among the strike options under consideration is Fordow, Iran’s underground uranium enrichment site—one of the most fortified locations in the country and notably untouched by Israel’s initial barrage. CBS News reported that this facility has drawn particular scrutiny due to its strategic importance in Iran’s nuclear efforts.

Meanwhile, intelligence indicates that Iran has pre-positioned missile systems and other assets to launch counterattacks against U.S. bases across the Middle East if America officially enters the conflict. That threat is not theoretical. Since Israel’s Operation Rising Lion began on June 13, Tehran has launched nearly 400 ballistic missiles and countless drones toward Israeli territory. Though Israel’s defenses have intercepted most, several missiles got through, resulting in 24 civilian deaths.

Iran, on the other hand, has suffered more than 200 reported casualties, many of them civilians. The Israeli Defense Forces have carried out intense bombing campaigns, including direct strikes on Tehran. The capital has seen mass evacuations amid growing panic, as air raid sirens and bomb damage spread across city blocks once thought untouchable.

Israel maintains that its preemptive strike campaign was necessary. According to Israeli intelligence, Iran was mere weeks from obtaining a deployable nuclear weapon. With that timeline in mind, the IDF coordinated the largest air operation in its history—over 200 fighter jets targeting dozens of nuclear and military installations.

Despite the devastation, Trump has so far resisted calls to join the Israeli campaign outright. By doing so, he appears to be leveraging the threat of overwhelming U.S. power to force Iran into a strategic retreat. Whether that gambit will pay off—or push the region into all-out war—remains to be seen.

As the world holds its breath, one thing is certain: Trump’s next move could redraw the geopolitical map. All eyes are on Washington, and the clock is ticking.