President Donald Trump speaks with reporters while flying aboard Air Force One en route from Calgary, Canada to Joint Base Andrews, Md., late on Monday. Mark Schiefelbein/AP

President Donald Trump told reporters on Air Force One that he’s seeking “a real end” to the conflict with Israel and Iran, arguing it’s better than a ceasefire while also suggesting that giving up entirely on negotiating is a possibility.

Asked what is better than a ceasefire, as he alluded to in a Truth Social post, Trump said “an end, a real end, not a ceasefire. An end. Or giving entirely. That’s OK, too.”

Trump said he expects the next 48 hours will reveal more about whether Israel plans to slow down or accelerate its attacks on Iran.

“You’re going to find out. Nobody’s slowed up so far,” Trump said.

Trump plans to meet with his national security team in the Situation Room on Tuesday.

Asked if the US getting involved militarily would ensure the destruction of Iran’s nuclear program, as some Israeli officials have said publicly, Trump told reporters, “I hope their program is going to be wiped out long before that. They’re not going to have a nuclear weapon.”

On what was behind his call to immediately evacuate Tehran, Trump said there was no specific threat but that it was safer for people to evacuate given the situation on the ground.

“I want people to be safe… That’s always possible something could happen. I just want people to be safe.”

On concern for US troops or assets in the region, Trump called them great people said the US would come down “so hard” if Iran touched them: “I think they know not to touch our troops.”

Asked about reports he is considering sending Vice President JD Vance and Steve Witkoff to meet with the Iranians this week, Trump said, “I may. I may. It depends on what happens when I get back.”