Trump says no final decision yet on US strikes against Iran

US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that he has yet to make a final decision on whether to authorise military strikes on Iran, adding that he prefers to wait until the “last second.”

“I don’t want to fight either. I’m not looking to fight. But if it’s a choice between fighting and them having a nuclear weapon, you have to do what you have to do. And maybe we won’t have to fight,” he told reporters in the Oval Office, Anadolu Ajansi reported.

Trump said he had “ideas” on possible steps but preferred to decide “one second before it’s due.”

“Things change, especially with war. You go from one extreme to the other. War is very bad. There was no reason for this to be,” he added, noting he would be holding a Situation Room meeting within the hour.

Tensions have escalated sharply since June 13, when Israel launched large-scale strikes on Iran’s military and nuclear sites, targeting facilities in several cities, senior command centres and nuclear scientists.

Iranian media reported on Wednesday that the death toll from Israeli airstrikes had risen to 585, with over 1,300 injured.

In response, Iran launched ballistic missile attacks on Israel, reportedly killing 24 people and injuring more than 500.

When asked if he believed the Iranian government might collapse under continued Israeli pressure, Trump said, “Anything could happen.”

Putin: Iran didn’t seek our help

Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday that Iran is not seeking military support from Moscow despite heightened tensions with Israel, dismissing the notion of a military alliance between the two countries.

“Iran is not asking us for any military assistance,” he told international news agency executives during a meeting in St Petersburg.

“Even when we offered to jointly develop air defence systems in the past, there was little interest from the Iranian side,” he added, according to Anadolu Ajansi.

Putin also said that finding ways to end hostilities between Iran and Israel would be in the interest of all parties.

He noted that there are options to address both sides’ concerns, which have been presented to relevant partners.

Putin also confirmed that Russia and Iran have signed a contract to build two additional units at the Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant.

“The work is underway. Our specialists are on site - over 200 people. We have agreed with the Israeli leadership that their safety will be ensured,” he added.

- Bernama

All M'sians registered with embassy in Tehran safe - Foreign Ministry

'We know where you're hiding,' Trump warns Iran's supreme leader

Citing Iran, Zaid says clerical leadership can take M'sia to greater heights

Iran to shift from deterrence to retaliation: Top general

Iran urges UN's atomic agency to act against Israel

Malaysians in Iran told to evacuate immediately

G7: Iran must never obtain nuclear weapons amid escalating tensions