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Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Janine Hirst. President Trump says he'll make a decision about whether to take action against Iran within the next two weeks. As NPR's Franco, Ordonia's reports, the White House says correspondence between the U.S. and Iran has continued.

President Trump continues to see an opportunity for a diplomatic solution.

White House Press Secretary Caroline Levitt speaking here on his behalf.

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 did not give any specifics on why he feels there's a substantial chance or what would

happen in those two weeks, but said any deal must involve Iran agreeing not to enrich uranium

nor to develop a nuclear bomb. Franco, Ordonius, NPR News, the White House.

And the leaders of China and Russia are calling for a ceasefire between Israel and Iran.

China's Xi Jinping and Russia's Vladimir Putin held a phone call today.

And as NPR's Emily Fang reports, they called the situation dangerous.

According to China's state news agency, both leaders said the parties to the conflict,

quote, especially Israel, should ceasefire as soon as possible.

China has close ties with Iran.

Its citizens can travel to Iran visa-free, and thousands of its citizens work there in state oil companies,

though many have evacuated

after Israeli missile attacks on Tehran.

China is also a major buyer of Iranian oil, and the two countries, along with Russia,

just held joint military exercises this past spring in the Gulf of Amman.

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