Trump: US Ready for Military Action Against Iran, But Talks Continue

President Donald Trump said Iran is demonstrating its strongest commitment to negotiations with the U.S. to date, but he has not yet decided whether to launch a large-scale military strike against the country.

"We are discussing with them right now. I think they are getting serious as time goes on, maybe for obvious reasons. I think they are serious. I think they are much more serious than we have ever seen before, but that doesn't mean we will get there. We will see what happens," Trump told reporters in the Oval Office.

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We are discussing with them right now. I think they are getting serious as time goes on, maybe for obvious reasons. I think they are serious. I think they are much more serious than we have ever seen before, but that doesn't mean we will get there. We will see what happens.

Regarding a potential large-scale attack, Trump stated he has not considered it. "We can escalate to a much higher level if we want, we are prepared to do that. We are ready for combat and ready to act. There are two ways. I think that is the smarter way, but the other might be the easier way," he said, referencing diplomacy and military action.

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We can escalate to a much higher level if we want, we are prepared to do that. We are ready for combat and ready to act. There are two ways. I think that is the smarter way, but the other might be the easier way.

Trump also mentioned that Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, his son-in-law and advisor, are involved in the talks with Iran, as are Vice President J.D. Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. "This is a big deal. They (Iran) must not have nuclear weapons. Regardless of what everyone says about the election, I am not in a hurry. We have to do it right," Trump added, referring to the U.S. midterm elections this fall.

Republican strategists are reportedly concerned that a war with Iran, which they deem unpopular, could cause the party to lose seats in both houses of the U.S. Congress.

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This is a big deal. They (Iran) must not have nuclear weapons. Regardless of what everyone says about the election, I am not in a hurry. We have to do it right.