Israel-Iran conflict: What happens after Trump’s 2-week ultimatum?

A week into the Iran-Israel conflict, both sides continued exchanging strikes on Friday. New diplomatic efforts are taking shape even as US President Donald Trump weighed potential American military involvement.

Trump is considering a strike on Iran’s heavily fortified Fordow uranium enrichment facility — buried deep under a mountain and believed to be beyond the reach of conventional weapons. Only the US possesses the powerful “bunker-buster” bombs capable of targeting the site. The president has said he will make a decision within two weeks, citing a “substantial chance” for renewed negotiations over Iran’s nuclear programme.

Here’s a look at the latest developments and what can be done in two weeks.

US President Donald Trump has signalled he will wait up to two weeks before deciding whether to join the Israel-Iran war. Speaking via White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt, Trump said, “Based on the fact that there’s a substantial chance of negotiations... I will make my decision whether or not to go within the next two weeks.”

Despite earlier tough rhetoric — including demands for Tehran residents to evacuate — Trump now appears to favour giving diplomacy a chance, especially with Europe pushing for negotiations. However, Trump has made it clear that military force is still on the table if diplomacy fails.

Israel has said that Iran is on the verge of developing nuclear weapons and that only the US possesses the military capability to deliver the kind of strike required to stop that — namely, by using America’s powerful bunker-buster bombs against underground Iranian nuclear facilities like Fordow. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said Iran “must pay a heavy price” and believes US involvement is critical to preventing Iran from crossing the nuclear threshold.

Iran denies it is seeking nuclear weapons but has enriched uranium to 60% purity, far above the 3.67% limit set by the 2015 nuclear deal. While this is short of weapons-grade 90%, the International Atomic Energy Agency has warned that Iran remains the only non-nuclear state enriching at such high levels. US officials have said Iran could be “a couple of weeks” away from producing a bomb if it chose to pursue one, though there’s no confirmed evidence of a warhead being assembled yet.

Bunker busters are powerful bombs designed to penetrate fortified underground facilities, such as Iran’s Fordow enrichment site, buried under a mountain. Only the US Air Force, using B-2 stealth bombers, is equipped to deliver these bombs, which is why Israeli officials see American involvement as crucial to degrading Iran’s nuclear capabilities.

Iran’s leaders have categorically rejected talks with the US while Israeli strikes continue. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said, “As long as the aggression does not stop, there will be no place for diplomacy and dialogue.” Iran has retaliated by launching over 450 missiles and 1,000 drones at Israel, though most have been intercepted.

Meanwhile, Iran has agreed to limited nuclear-related discussions with European countries in Geneva, but refuses to negotiate on its missile programme or broader security issues.

Yes. Iran has reported at least 224 deaths from Israeli airstrikes, including military personnel, nuclear scientists, and civilians. Israel has suffered 25 civilian deaths from Iranian missile strikes, including casualties at a hospital in Beersheba. UN officials and the World Health Organisation have condemned attacks on civilian infrastructure.

The war, now entering its second week, has seen heavy Israeli airstrikes targeting Iranian military and nuclear sites, while Iran continues retaliatory missile attacks on Israel. Israel claims to have degraded many of Iran’s missile launch facilities but acknowledges more targets remain. Both sides show no immediate signs of de-escalation, though diplomatic channels remain open — at least with Europe.

Oil prices have fluctuated — initially spiking, then stabilising. Major airlines have suspended flights to Gulf destinations. Global shipping companies like Maersk have rerouted or suspended port operations.

- With inputs from agencies