Without an agreement with Iran, there will be a very harsh response, Trump said.

US President Donald Trump warned that if the United States fails to reach an agreement with Iran, Washington will have to take "very tough" action. He said this in an interview with Israeli television Channel 12, thereby increasing tensions surrounding Iran's nuclear program.

Trump indicated that diplomacy still takes precedence, but at the same time emphasized that alternatives are on the table if negotiations fail.

According to media reports, the US president is considering sending a second aircraft carrier to the Middle East. This move would signal the US's readiness to strengthen its military presence in the region at a time of growing tension between Washington and Tehran.

The disputes concern not only Iran's nuclear ambitions, but also the Iranian authorities' harsh crackdown on domestic protests.

(reuters, mja)