President Donald Trump delivered a sharp reprimand to a White House reporter on Wednesday after being pressed about potential U.S. military action against Iran, underscoring his administration’s refusal to telegraph strategic decisions in advance — particularly when national security is at stake.
The exchange occurred during a high-stakes media availability as U.S. intelligence officials continue monitoring escalating instability in Iran, where six consecutive days of Israeli airstrikes have left the regime reeling and its air defenses reportedly crippled.
The reporter’s question — “Are you moving closer, or do you believe the U.S. is moving closer, to striking Iranian nuclear facilities?” — drew immediate ire from the president, who criticized the premise as reckless and unrealistic.
“Well obviously I can’t say that,” Trump responded, lifting his hands in visible disbelief. “You don’t seriously think I’m going to answer that ques– ‘Will you strike the Iranian nuclear component, and what time exactly, sir?’”
Mocking the inquiry, Trump added, “‘Sir, when you strike it, would you please inform us so we can be there and watch.’ I mean, you don’t know if I’m gonna do it. I may do it, I may not do it — nobody knows what I’m gonna do.”
He concluded by suggesting Iran is under increasing pressure and may be reconsidering its posture: “Iran’s got a lot of trouble, and they want to negotiate.”
President Trump shuts down a Fake News reporter asking about a possible U.S. strike on Iran 🤣:
“Don’t seriously think I will answer that, right? ‘Will you strike the Iran and what time? Would you please inform us so we can be there and watch?'”
pic.twitter.com/xYhv9GpomJ— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) June 18, 2025
Tensions in the region remain high as Israel maintains air superiority over Iranian territory, with thousands fleeing Tehran amid fresh warnings of renewed strikes. Iranian leadership has yet to respond to reports of substantial military losses, but satellite imagery indicates several air bases and suspected nuclear facilities have sustained structural damage.
Trump’s remarks come one day after a provocative Truth Social post in which he claimed to know the location of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and made a cryptic comment implying he could authorize a strike — but won’t “for now.”
“We know exactly where the so-called ‘Supreme Leader’ is hiding. He is an easy target, but is safe there — We are not going to take him out (kill!), at least not for now,” Trump wrote.
