US President Donald Trump said that Iran appears to be taking talks to end the war more seriously, but warned Washington remains "locked and loaded" for a larger military offensive if diplomacy fails.
Speaking to reporters at the White House on Friday, Trump said the US military was fully prepared for further action but stressed that negotiations with Tehran were still underway.
"Look, we're locked and loaded," Trump said. "We're ready to go, but we're talking to them, so maybe there will be, maybe there won't be a tipping point."
He added, "Maybe they will cry uncle, or maybe they'll just give up, or maybe they'll just go into a cave and hide."
Asked about a possible exit strategy for the conflict, Trump outlined two options.
"There's a military exit where we just keep going just the way we are, and we can even make it a heavier dose, and it's knocking out everything they have. Or there's a smarter strategy that you make a deal," he said.
Trump said the administration believes Iran is taking negotiations more seriously than before but cautioned that a breakthrough is not guaranteed.
"We are talking to them. I think they're being serious. I think ... they are being by far the most serious that we've seen them, but that doesn't mean we get there. We'll see what happens," he said.
His comments came a day after telling Axios that he was weighing a dramatic escalation of military action.
"I am considering a massive attack. Bigger than ever before. I am close to making a decision. We are all set for it," the US President said.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi rejected US pressure, saying Tehran would not yield to threats.
"Iran has shown that it will not bow to US bullying and will under no circumstances respond to the language of force, pressure, and threats," Araghchi said.
He added that the main obstacle in US-Iran relations was not a lack of communication, but Washington's continued reliance on "bullying and coercion."
According to The New York Times, Trump met Friday with top advisers and senior Cabinet officials to discuss whether to intensify the military campaign against Iran, citing sources privy to the meeting.
The discussions took place as the administration reassesses its Iran strategy following the collapse of a fragile ceasefire and a memorandum of understanding that had aimed to revive negotiations on a long-term denuclearisation agreement.
The White House did not disclose whether Trump reached a decision during the meeting. However, his public remarks suggested the administration is keeping both military and diplomatic options on the table.
Trump's comments also come ahead of a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House on Tuesday. Netanyahu has met Trump in the Oval Office six times since his return to office, more than any other world leader.
Meanwhile, fighting continued across the region. US missiles struck targets in Iran on Friday, while Iranian forces retaliated by launching attacks on US bases in neighbouring Arab countries and warning that non-military buildings used by American personnel could also be targeted.
Source: India Today