WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Donald Trump has played this hand before during the 5-month-old Iran war -- but this time, he insists it's different. The president on Monday said that new talks between Washington and Tehran are the "last chance" for Iran to forge a deal and avoid an escalation of U.S. strikes on the country. Trump said whether "Iran wants to admit it or not, we are, in fact, talking" about preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons. CRITICS SEE TRUMP REACHING FOR A RESET BUTTONTrump may still come to the conclusion that a massive escalation in the conflict with Iran is necessary. • After days of dire threats against Iran, Trump announced on May 18 he was holding off on a major planned military strike because "serious negotiations" were underway, crediting Gulf allies for persuading him to show restraint.