Trump says US in serious talks with Iran, may escalate attacks

President Donald Trump stated on Tuesday that the United States is actively negotiating with Iran. However, he cautioned that military operations, including current airstrikes, could intensify if talks fail to yield an agreement.

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We are talking to them. I think they are talking to us, frankly, because they have to be.

"We are talking to them. I think they are talking to us, frankly, because they have to be," Trump told reporters at the White House. He described the current discussions as the "most serious" he has seen but stressed that an agreement is not guaranteed. "We'll see what happens," he added.

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I think they are showing the most serious attitude we have seen so far.

When asked about an exit strategy from potential conflict with Iran, Trump suggested multiple options remain. "We have a lot of options, as you know, that are left," he said. "One is to continue to do what we're doing, and in some cases, to increase that." He also noted a "wiser strategy" of reaching an agreement through negotiation, believing Iran also desires a deal but may not yet be ready.

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But that doesn't mean we will necessarily reach an agreement.

This comes after Trump told Axios in an interview that he was considering a "major attack" on Iran, stating he was "ready to go" and had "many" options. CNN reported, citing sources familiar with the matter, that Trump convened a meeting with senior staff to discuss escalating the conflict.

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We have a lot of options, as you know, that are left.