U.S. President Donald Trump said Monday he was willing to meet with Iran's leaders with "no preconditions" and "any time they want" -- one week after tensions soared between Washington and Tehran.

 

"I would meet with Iran if they wanted to meet. I don't know if they are ready yet," Trump told a White House press conference with Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte at his side.

 

"No preconditions," he added. "They want to meet, I'll meet. Any time they want."

 

A week ago, after a provocative warning from Iranian President Hassan Rouhani not to "play with the lion's tail," Trump blasted back a reply on Twitter -- in all caps.

 

"NEVER, EVER THREATEN THE UNITED STATES AGAIN OR YOU WILL SUFFER CONSEQUENCES THE LIKES OF WHICH FEW THROUGHOUT HISTORY HAVE EVER SUFFERED BEFORE," Trump warned Rouhani.