Trump's decision came after Israel and Iran have exchanged consistent strikes since June 13. Israel had urged the U.S. to target Iran's nuclear facilities, saying that Tehran was moving close to creating a nuclear weapon. Iran maintains that its nuclear program is for civilian, not military, purposes.

President Trump's Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, offered to help him deal with Iran, Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One, in remarks shared by the White House on Tuesday. “As you know, Vladimir called me up.