US President Donald Trump ordered two large American flags to be installed in front of the White House, with “the most magnificent flagpoles ever built,” in his ongoing hyperbole. On Wednesday, he accompanied the crews doing the work and lashed out at Federal Reserve Chairman Jay Powell, as is his custom. He spread outright lies about the economy and then answered a few questions about Iran, but refused to clarify whether he plans to join Israel in launching an attack on its nuclear facilities. “I might do it, I might not do it. Nobody knows what I’m going to do,” he said.

Trump insisted on demanding Tehran's"unconditional surrender," something he referred to as the "final ultimatum." "I can tell you, Iran has a lot of problems and they want to negotiate. And I said, 'Why didn't you negotiate with me before all this death and destruction? Why didn't you?' I told people. 'Why didn't you negotiate with me two weeks ago? You could have done it right. You would have a country. And it's very sad to see this," he said.

The US president asserted that the Iranian government had contacted his government regarding the conflict and had even proposed a meeting at the White House to resolve the issue, but added that his patience with the Islamic Republic had already"run out." "I've said it's too late to talk," Trump asserted."There's a big difference between now and a week ago."

Trump, however, didn't rule out talks, but he did hint that he didn't believe they would bear fruit. Asked if he thought it was too late, he replied:"Actually, it's never too late. The only thing that's 'too late' is Powell. Powell is too late. Too late Powell," he said, referring to the chairman of the Federal Reserve, which is meeting this Wednesday to decide on interest rates, which Trump wants lowered.

He then went on to talk about Iran. “I don’t know how much longer it’s going to last. They’re totally defenseless. They have no air defenses whatsoever. Totally captured, you know, we’ve totally captured the air,” the president added, declining to clarify whether the United States will launch its own attack on Iran and even mocking the question: “Do you want to know what time to be there?”

Trump also answered a question about his Tuesday afternoon phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after meeting with his National Security Council."I told him, 'Go ahead,'" he replied.

Following Tuesday's meeting with his National Security team, numerous sources told the US media that Trump is considering entering the conflict, something he has sought to avoid from the beginning. Israel does not have the bunker-busting bombs or large bomber aircraft needed to destroy Iran's Fordow uranium enrichment plant, built deep underground inside a mountain, and therefore wants the United States to participate in the operation to dismantle Iran's nuclear program.

Trump also noted Tuesday that Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is"an easy target," though he didn't plan to kill him at this time. Overall, the president's messages and some of his actions, such as the deployment of tanker aircraft to the region, suggest that Trump is willing to become directly involved in the conflict.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth also declined to reveal Wednesday in an appearance before the Senate Armed Services Committee whether the U.S. military plans to actively assist Israel in its attacks on Iran, saying the decision is up to Trump.

Presidential decision

Hegseth told senators that his job is to provide military options to the president and that he cannot discuss issues related to military plans in a public appearance. “Most of what I can or should say would be reserved for a classified setting,” Hegseth responded to a question from New Hampshire Democratic Senator Jeanne Shaheen. “Obviously, any decisions on this matter are made at the presidential level.” After the public hearing, the appearance continued behind closed doors to discuss sensitive defense issues, although no clarification of US plans regarding Iran was expected.

Khamenei warned the United States on Tuesday that Tehran will not surrender and that any military attack will have serious consequences. “Intelligent people who know Iran, the nation, and Iran’s history will never address this nation with threats, because the Iranian nation will not surrender,” he said in a televised statement. “Americans should know that any US military intervention will undoubtedly be accompanied by irreparable damage,” he said in response to the US leader’s statements, in which he raised the possibility of attacking Iran in an attempt to demand “unconditional surrender.”

Iran's supreme leader also said his country will not accept"an imposed peace or war" and that those familiar with the country's history know that "Iranians do not respond well to the language of threats." He also addressed Israel, warning it that it has made a"big mistake" and will be punished for it.

Iran has prepared missiles and other military equipment to attack US bases in the Middle East should the United States join the war. Direct US involvement could prompt the Iran-backed Houthi militia to resume attacks on ships in the Red Sea. This, in turn, would increase the risk that pro-Iranian militias in Iraq and Syria would attempt to attack US bases there, escalating the conflict.