WASHINGTON, June 26 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that it won't last long if his country enters into war with Iran, while still voicing desire to avoid conflict.

"I hope we don't," Trump told Fox Business Network in an interview on Wednesday morning when asked if the United States was going to war, adding that he believes the United States is "in a very strong position if something should happen."

"I'm not talking boots on the ground," Trump noted. "I'm not talking, we're going to send a million soldiers. I'm just saying if something would happen, it wouldn't last very long."

Tensions remain high between Washington and Tehran after the United States slapped sanctions on Monday targeting Iran's supreme leader and some senior officials, days after the downing of a U.S. military surveillance drone by Iran.

The two sides have been trading barbs, with Trump threatening a tough military response in the event of any attack by Iran, and Iranian President Hassan Rouhani describing the White House as having a "mental handicap."

Ties between the United States and Iran have deteriorated significantly after Washington walked away from the landmark 2015 Iran nuclear deal in May 2018 and reimposed energy and financial sanctions, which had been removed under the deal on Iran.