'Get serious before it's too late': Trump's fresh warning to Iran as Tehran denies talks

US President Donald Trump on Thursday issued a fresh warning to Iran, saying its negotiators should "get serious soon" or face consequences, as tensions over a potential deal continue.

Must read: Why Bab el-Mandeb Strait is new Hormuz 2.0 after Iran's threat on 'new surprise fronts'

In a post on Truth Social, Trump blasted Iran's negotiating stance and suggested that Tehran was under pressure to reach an agreement.

"The Iranian negotiators are very different and "strange." They are "begging" us to make a deal, which they should be doing since they have been militarily obliterated, with zero chance of a comeback, and yet they publicly state that they are only “looking at our proposal.” WRONG!!!” he wrote.

"They better get serious soon, before it is too late, because once that happens, there is NO TURNING BACK, and it won’t be pretty," he said.

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In a separate post, Donald Trump also criticised NATO allies for not backing the US in the ongoing conflict, saying NATO nations had done nothing to assist in dealing with Iran and that the United States should not forget this moment. He added that the US does not need NATO support.

Earlier today, Axios reported that the US was developing military options for a "final blow" in Iran that could include the use of ground forces and a massive bombing campaign.

A military escalation will grow more likely if no progress is made in diplomatic talks and, in particular, if the Strait of Hormuz remains closed, the report said, adding that some US officials think a crushing show of force to conclude the fighting would create more leverage in peace talks or simply give Trump something to point to and declare victory.

Associated Press reported that a strike group anchored by the amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli drew closer to the Mideast with some 2,500 Marines. Also, at least 1,000 paratroopers from the 82nd Airborne have been ordered to the region.

However, the report said, the troop movements don't guarantee Trump will try to use force to compel Iran to open the strait and halt its attacks on Gulf Arab states. In the current situation, the US is seen as focused on possibly seizing Iran's oil terminal at Kharg Island or other sites near the strait, the report added.