US President Donald Trump said that while serious negotiations are underway with Iran, he is prepared to take immediate military action if an agreement fails to be reached this time.

Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office on the 24th local time when asked about an exit strategy for the Iran conflict, President Trump replied that there are two paths: "a military exit strategy" and "a much smarter strategy of making a deal."

"One path is to continue what we are doing right now [strikes], and if we want, we can escalate it to a much higher level," Trump said. "We are locked and loaded, and ready to act immediately."

The day before, in an interview with the online media outlet Axios, Trump stated regarding Iran, "We are considering a massive attack, bigger than ever before," adding, "I am right on the verge of making a decision [to attack]. We have everything ready."

In connection with this, The New York Times (NYT) reported that Trump held a meeting with his key advisors on this day to discuss whether to intensify attacks against Iran.

However, Trump emphasized, "Even at this very moment, we are talking with them," and added, "I always prefer that alternative."

"We will see what comes out of the ongoing talks," Trump said, noting, "This is the most serious we have ever seen them behave."

This is interpreted as an assertion that Iran is engaging in negotiations with the US with unprecedented enthusiasm due to the "clear reasons" of his warnings of a massive attack and a naval blockade.

"They clearly want a deal," Trump said, while adding, "I do not think they are ready [to make a deal] yet."

Regarding his social media post claiming that China and Russia would not sell weapons to Iran, Trump remarked, "I don't think they want to disappoint me."

In a post on Truth Social, Trump stated, "President Xi told me during our recent talks in Beijing, China [in May], that under no circumstances would they provide or sell weapons to the Islamic Republic of Iran."

Trump also said, "Similarly, President Putin told me that he would not sell weapons to Iran, despite the terrible war going on in Ukraine."

Trump emphasized, "The two major countries [China and Russia] that people frequently bring up regarding the Iran issue are not involved in this, in my opinion."

He wrote, "If they were to do so, it would be a very bad thing for them," adding, "It certainly would not be in their best interest."

AFP reported that Trump's post was "a warning to China and Russia against selling weapons to Iran," while Reuters reported that it "warned China and Russia against involvement in the Iran war."