White House Warns Iran Could Build Nuclear Weapon in “A Couple of Weeks” as Trump Mulls Military Strike

 The White House issued a stark warning Thursday that Iran now possesses all the materials necessary to build a nuclear weapon and could do so in a matter of weeks if its supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, gave the green light.

“Let’s be very clear: Iran has everything it needs to achieve a nuclear weapon,” said White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt during a tense briefing. “All they need is a decision from the Supreme Leader. And it would take a couple of weeks to complete the production of that weapon, which would, of course, pose an existential threat—not just to Israel, but to the United States and to the entire world.”

The warning came amid rising tensions in the Middle East and growing uncertainty over whether President Donald Trump will authorize direct military strikes against Iran. According to Leavitt, the president is giving himself two weeks to decide whether to launch such an operation.

“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,” she said, quoting the president.

A Renewed Breakout Warning

The statement marks one of the most direct acknowledgments from the U.S. government about the immediacy of Iran’s nuclear capabilities. Iran’s so-called “breakout time”—the time it would take to produce enough weapons-grade uranium for a bomb—has long been a subject of debate.

Last summer, then-Secretary of State Antony Blinken warned that Iran was already within 1–2 weeks of having enough 90% enriched uranium for a bomb. In May 2025, Secretary of State Marco Rubio added that Iran, having reached 60% enrichment, was “essentially a threshold nuclear weapons state.”

Still, U.S. intelligence officials have been more cautious. In March, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard testified that the intelligence community had not concluded that Iran was actively building a bomb and said Khamenei had not authorized such a move.

Asked about Gabbard’s earlier remarks, President Trump dismissed the distinction. “I don’t care what she said, I think they were very close to having one,” he said this week. Gabbard later clarified she agreed Iran was “close” and that her comments were misinterpreted.

According to her testimony, Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile has reached historic levels—unprecedented for a non-nuclear state.

Military Plans Ready—but Awaiting Trump’s Decision

Behind the scenes, Trump has already approved multiple attack plans, sources told ABC News, but is holding off to see whether negotiations can gain traction. The president has convened three Situation Room meetings this week and is expected to receive more intelligence briefings this weekend at the White House following a campaign fundraiser in Bedminster, New Jersey.

The developments come as Israel and Iran escalate military exchanges, with tensions peaking after an Iranian missile reportedly struck a hospital in Beersheba. Israel has vowed to intensify its retaliation and has begun openly questioning whether Iran’s Supreme Leader should “continue to exist”—comments interpreted by some as calls for regime change in Tehran.

Leavitt was pressed Thursday on whether the U.S. would support such an approach. She stopped short of backing regime change but reiterated, “The president’s top priority right now is ensuring that Iran cannot obtain a nuclear weapon and providing peace and stability in the Middle East.”

Divisions Within the GOP and the Trump Administration

As Trump weighs his options, he faces pressure from opposing corners of the political spectrum—within his own party and administration.

“There’s a divide,” one senior aide said, noting the tension between isolationist conservatives urging restraint and pro-Israel hawks demanding forceful action. Leavitt acknowledged that Trump is hearing voices from across the country but emphasized that “he makes decisions based on his instincts.”

Asked why the president believes negotiations are still possible, Leavitt declined to elaborate. “I’m not going to get into the reasoning and the rationale,” she said. “The president believes that, but that’s his position and he will make a decision within the next two weeks.”

The White House confirmed that diplomatic correspondence with Tehran is ongoing, although it’s unclear if the U.S. will participate in upcoming European-led talks in Geneva.

A Moment of Global Consequence

With Iran potentially on the verge of nuclear capability and the U.S. seriously contemplating military intervention, the coming weeks could prove decisive not only for the Middle East but for global security.

“The clock is ticking,” one U.S. official told ABC News. “There’s no question Iran is at the edge of the nuclear threshold. The real question is whether the U.S. is willing to act before that line is crossed.”

As the world watches, President Trump’s decision could shape the region—and his presidency—for years to come.