US President Donald Trump said that the United States is currently negotiating with Iran and will return to war if the talks fail, in an interview with Axios on Monday.
"We are in very deep talks with Iran," Trump told Axios. "If they don't work out, we will go back to very strong military action."
Trump said that he paused US strikes on Iran to give negotiations another chance, Axios reported, with the president adding that he would not give the talks with Tehran "much time."
"Either it goes fast or not at all," said Trump.
Trump added that countries involved in the talks told him not to "fire," leading to his decision to hold off on the renewal of major strikes.
“Nothing gained, nothing lost,” he added, noting that oil prices had fallen and stock prices had risen since his decision to hold off on major strikes.
Netanyahu heads to US for Trump talks on Iran
Trump's comments come as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu heads to Washington for a meeting with the president, the Prime Minister's Office confirmed earlier on Monday.
"I am going to talk to Bibi about the fact that if I weren't president, Iran would have had nuclear weapons by now and Israel would have been destroyed," Trump said of the upcoming meeting.
The two world leaders are expected to discuss the situation with Iran, among several other issues.
"From my experience as prime minister, during these complex times we must act with both great determination and great wisdom," said Netanyahu. "I am embarking on this mission with one clear goal: to ensure the security, strength, and future of our dear State of Israel."
Netanyahu will also attend the funeral of Lindsey Graham, who died on July 12 following a brief, sudden illness.
Miriam Sela-Eitam contributed to this report.