President Donald Trump said Thursday that Iran must agree to terms to halt ongoing U.S. and Israeli military attacks or risk further bombardment, signaling that Washington is prepared to escalate if negotiations fail.

“They now have the chance, that is Iran, to permanently abandon their nuclear ambitions and to join a new path forward,” Trump said during a Cabinet meeting at the White House. “We’ll see if they want to do it. If they don’t, we’re their worst nightmare. In the meantime, we’ll just keep blowing them away.”

His remarks came shortly after a senior Iranian official told Reuters that the U.S. framework to bring an end to nearly a month of hostilities is “one-sided and unfair,” even as diplomatic contacts between the sides remain ongoing.

Trump said that Iranian representatives are engaged in discussions with the United States and portrayed them as eager for an agreement, an assessment that officials in Tehran have rejected.

At the same time, he referred to Iranian negotiators as “great negotiators” and said his goal is to reach a deal that would ensure the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz while curbing Iran’s military capabilities.

Still, Trump indicated uncertainty about whether an agreement will be reached. “I don’t know if we’ll be able to do that,” he said of the prospects for a deal. I don’t know if we’re willing to do that.”

{Matzav.com}