Trump says he halted Israeli strike on Iran, 'not in a rush' for war

US President Donald Trump on Thursday acknowledged reports that he blocked Israeli plans to strike Iran’s nuclear sites, saying he chose not to rush into conflict.

Speaking from the Oval Office, Trump said: “I wouldn’t say ‘waved off’ [the strikes],” in reference to The New York Times report. “I’m not in a rush to do it because I think Iran has a chance to be a great country.”

He said military action remains a last resort: “If there’s a second option, I think it’d be very bad for Iran, and I think Iran is wanting to talk.”

Trump also defended his decision to withdraw from the 2015 nuclear agreement: “The deal with Obama would have expired already… It was a terrible deal and would’ve given them a clear path to a nuclear weapon. That’s why I terminated the deal.”