Trump holds off decision on U.S. military involvement in Israel-Iran conflict

U.S. President Donald Trump is delaying his decision on U.S. involvement in the military confrontation between Israel and Iran.

Our Moon Hye-ryeon reports.

Seven days into Israel's military campaign against Iranian nuclear and missile facilities, cross-border attacks are escalating.

On Thursday morning local time, an Iranian missile struck Israel's main southern hospital, causing what officials described as "extensive damage."

This came as Israel targeted a heavy water reactor southwest of the Iranian capital, with Iranian state media reporting that the facility had been evacuated ahead of the strike and that no civilian areas were affected.

Israel had issued a warning earlier in the day, stating its intention to strike the site and urging residents to evacuate.

The latest air assaults come amid uncertainty over possible U.S. involvement in the conflict.

Speaking to reporters at the White House on Wednesday local time, U.S. President Donald Trump said that he had yet to make a final call, and he would hold off doing so for now.

"I have ideas as to what to do, but I haven't made it final. I'd like to make the final decision one second before it's due, you know, because things change. I mean, especially with war, things change with war, it can go from one extreme to the other."

Shortly afterwards, he convened a second White House Situation Room meeting in as many days to discuss the agenda with his national security advisers.

The talks lasted for around an hour, and it is not yet clear what was discussed or whether any decisions were made.

According to The Wall Street Journal, Trump told senior aides late Tuesday that he had approved plans for a potential military strike on Iran, but decided to pause, hoping Tehran might still give up its nuclear program.

Earlier in the day, Trump claimed that Iran had proposed to come to the White House to begin negotiations, and once again, called for "unconditional surrender."

In response, Iran's diplomatic mission to the United Nations in New York hit back on social media by saying that "No Iranian official has asked to grovel at the gates of the White House," followed by a message from Iran's supreme leader himself.

"The Iranian nation stands firm against the imposed war – as it has stood so far – and stands firm against the imposed peace. The Iranian nation will not surrender to anyone in the face of imposition."

As tensions intensify, nations are moving to evacuate their own nationals from Israel.

The U.S. State Department has started pulling out non-essential diplomats and is arranging evacuation flights and ships for American citizens, while China is also working to evacuate its citizens.

Moon Hye-ryeon, Arirang News.