Pakistan, May 20 -- US President Donald Trump has warned that the United States could carry out military strikes against Iran within two to three days if tensions continue to escalate, issuing one of his strongest statements yet on the standoff between Washington and Tehran.

Read More: Trump says Pakistan advised against Iran strikes

Speaking to reporters during a visit to a construction site at the White House ballroom, Trump said Iran must not be allowed to develop nuclear weapons, arguing that such a development would pose an immediate threat to regional security and particularly to Israel.

He claimed that if Iran acquired a nuclear capability, it would likely target Israel first, adding that "time is limited" and that Tehran must b...