Trump: Iran wants to 'reach a deal'

(Patria) - US President Donald Trump stated on Thursday that he believes Tehran wants to reach a deal to avoid military action, adding that the American "armada" near Iran is larger than the one he sent to overthrow the Venezuelan leader, AFP reported.

- We have a large armada, flotilla, call it what you want, that is moving towards Iran, even larger than the one we had in Venezuela. I hope we reach a deal. If we reach a deal, that's good. If we don't reach a deal, we'll see what happens - Trump told reporters in the Oval Office.

When asked if he had given Iran a deadline for a deal on its nuclear program, ballistic missiles, and other issues, Trump said "yes, I have," and added that "only they know for sure" what that is.

Trump said that Iran's decision to stop the executions of protesters, after a crackdown in which human rights groups say more than 6,000 people were killed, is proof that Tehran is ready to comply.

- I can say this, they really want to reach a deal - Trump said.

He refused to say whether, if Iran does not reach a deal, he plans to repeat the dramatic operation in Venezuela in which US forces captured President Nicolas Maduro.

- I don't want to talk about anything related to what I'm doing militarily - Trump concluded.