President Trump [Reuters=Yonhap News]

U.S. President Donald Trump stated on the 24th (local time) that while he is engaged in serious talks with Iran, he will take immediate military action if no agreement is reached this time.

When asked by reporters at the Oval Office that day about an exit strategy for a potential war with Iran, President Trump replied that there are two paths: a "military exit strategy" and a "smarter strategy of reaching a deal."

President Trump said, "One way is to continue what we are doing now (airstrikes), and if we want, we can elevate it to a much higher level," adding, "We are locked and loaded, ready to act immediately."

In an interview with the online media outlet Axios the previous day, President Trump had stated that he was "considering a major attack" against Iran, describing it as "a bigger attack than ever before," and added, "I am on the verge of making a decision (on an attack). We are fully prepared."

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

However, President Trump emphasized, "Even at this very moment, we are talking to them," and added, "I always prefer that alternative (a solution through dialogue)."

President Trump remarked, "We will see what happens as the talks proceed," adding, "This is the most serious they have been that we have ever seen."

This is interpreted as an assertion that Iran is engaging in negotiations with the U.S. with an unprecedentedly proactive attitude for "clear reasons," namely his warning of a large-scale attack and a maritime blockade.

President Trump added, "They clearly want a deal," while noting, "I don't think they are ready (to agree) yet."

Regarding his social media post claiming that China and Russia would not sell weapons to Iran, President Trump said, "I don't think they (Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin) would want to disappoint me."

In his post on Truth Social, President Trump stated, "President Xi told me during our recent meeting (in May) in Beijing, China, that he would not provide or sell any weapons to the Islamic Republic of Iran under any circumstances."

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

President Trump emphasized, "The two major countries (China and Russia) that people often talk about regarding the Iran issue are, in my opinion, not involved in this matter."

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

AFP reported that President Trump's post was a "warning to China and Russia against selling weapons to Iran," while Reuters noted that he had "warned against Chinese and Russian involvement in an Iran conflict."