Trump says Israel should not strike Iran as nuclear deal ‘close'
US President Donald Trump called Thursday on ally Israel not to strike Iran's nuclear sites, saying a deal remained close if Tehran compromises.
Trump acknowledged that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was considering a strike, which he said could spark a 'massive conflict' – leading to a US decision to draw down embassy staff in the region.
'We are fairly close to a pretty good agreement,' Trump told reporters.
Asked about his discussions with Netanyahu, Trump said: 'I don't want them going in, because I think it would blow it.'
Trump quickly added: 'Might help it actually, but it also could blow it.'
Trump's Middle East pointman Steve Witkoff is set to hold a sixth round of talks on Sunday in Oman with Iran, which defiantly said it would raise levels of uranium enrichment – the key sticking point in talks.
Trump again described himself as a man of peace and said he would prefer a negotiated settlement with Iran.
'I'd love to avoid the conflict. Iran's going to have to negotiate a little bit tougher – meaning they're going to have to give us some things that they're not willing to give us right now,' he said.
On whether Israel could attack Iran, Trump said: 'I don't want to say imminent, but it looks like it's something that could very well happen.'
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