I told him that it would be inappropriate right now since we are very close to a solution, says Trump to journalists at the White House on Wednesday, writes AP.
The statement is made the same day as Rafael Mariano Grossi, head of the UN's atomic energy agency IAEA, stated that it is unclear whether there will be a deal or not with Iran.
Trump says he believes Iran wants to unite over a new deal and that it would "save many lives" if it happens. He adds that a deal can be made "in the coming weeks, if it happens".
Israeli threats
But the US's efforts to get a new nuclear deal have not landed well in Israel.
Benjamin Netanyahu has threatened to puncture the talks by attacking Iranian nuclear facilities, reports The New York Times with reference to sources.
The vastly different opinions on how to best ensure that Iran does not develop a nuclear weapon have reportedly led to at least one "tense" phone call between Trump and Netanyahu.
The tense atmosphere is however denied by Netanyahu's office. After the article in The New York Times was published, a written comment consisting of two words was delivered: "Fake news".
Already in April, The New York Times reported that Israel had planned to attack nuclear facilities in May, but that this was stopped by Trump. Now Netanyahu is said to want to take action without US support.
The latest round of talks between Iran and the US was held in Rome on Friday. According to Oman, which is mediating in the talks, some progress was made but no decisive ones.
Enrichment decisive
Trump has insisted that Iran cannot be allowed to continue enriching uranium in any form, in exchange for the lifting of certain US sanctions. But Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has said that enrichment of uranium is a must, otherwise "we have no deal".
Iran and the US have been holding nuclear talks since April 12. It is the highest level of negotiations between the countries since a previous deal between Iran and the Western world from 2015 collapsed in 2018, during Trump's first term as president.
