Trump says “getting close” to Iran nuclear deal

US President Donald Trump said Thursday that a deal was close with Iran that would avert a military strike on the country's contested nuclear sites.

"We're not going to be making any nuclear dust in Iran," Trump said in Qatar, the second stop of his multi-day Gulf tour.

"I think we're getting close to maybe doing a deal without having to do this."

"You probably read today the story about Iran. It's sort of agreed to the terms," Trump said.

The president did not specify which remarks he was referring to, but an adviser to Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Ali Shamkhani, said in a US media interview that Tehran was willing to accept far-reaching curbs on its nuclear programme.

Shamkhani told ABC News that Iran would give up stockpiles of highly enriched uranium as part of a deal in which the United States lifts sanctions.

Trump said that Iran should "say a big thank you" to Qatar's emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, who had pressed the US leader to avoid military action against his country's giant neighbour.

"Iran is very lucky to have the emir because he's actually fighting for them. He doesn't want us to do a vicious blow to Iran," Trump said.

Trump has pursued diplomacy with Iran as he seeks to stave off a threatened military strike by “Israel” on Tehran's contested nuclear programme.

Oil prices plunged more than three percent after the statement.

West Texas Intermediate sank 3.29 percent to USD 61.07 and Brent shed 3.15 percent to USD 64.01.

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He said he wanted the United States to "take" Gaza and turn it into a "freedom zone".

"I have concepts for Gaza that I think are very good, make it a freedom zone, let the United States get involved and make it just a freedom zone".

"I'd be proud to have the United States have it, take it, make it a freedom zone."

Read more: Trump signs $1.2 trillion economic deal with Qatar: White House

He added his tour could raise up to USD 4 trillion in deals during a meeting with business leaders in Doha on Thursday.

"This is a record tour. There's never been a tour that will raise – it could be a total of USD 3.5-4 trillion just in these four or five days," Trump said.

He added that he can still go to Turkey on Friday if Russia-Ukraine talks progress.

"You know, if something happened, I'd go on Friday," Trump said, as a Russian delegation arrived in Istanbul for the talks without President Vladimir Putin.

He warned that this country can “go back on the offensive” in case of Houthi attack.

"We're dealing with the Houthis, and that was, I think, very successful. But maybe tomorrow an attack will be made, in which case we go back on the offensive.”