Washington DC, May 1 -- US President Donald Trump on Friday (local time) said the United States faces a stark choice in its approach to Iran, either to pursue a negotiated settlement or escalate militarily, as tensions continue to rise in the West Asia region.

When asked over the briefing given by CENTCOM Commander Admiral Brad Cooper, Trump told reporters, "There are options. Do we want to go and just blast the hell out of them and finish them forever? Or do we want to try and make a deal. That's the options."

"On a human basis, I'd prefer not," Trump said. "But that's the option: do we want to go in there heavy and just blast them away or do we want to do something?"

Trump also addressed questions from ANI regarding Pakistan's openin...