President Donald Trump said Tuesday that the standoff with Iran could soon come to an end, expressing optimism that Tehran is eager to reach an agreement while again warning that the regime will never be allowed to obtain nuclear weapons.

Speaking during a Congressional picnic at the White House, Trump addressed the escalating tensions with Iran and suggested a resolution could come in the near future.

“I think we’re going to be finished with that very quickly,” Trump said.

“They want to make a deal so badly. They’re tired of this, and we’re going to be finished with that very quickly. Hopefully, we’re going to get it done in a very nice manner,” he added, while once again stressing that “they won’t have a nuclear weapon.”

Trump’s comments came one day after he disclosed on Truth Social that the United States had been preparing to strike Iran on Tuesday before the operation was delayed because of what he described as serious diplomatic discussions.

Speaking with reporters later Monday, Trump elaborated on the decision to postpone the military action.

“We were getting ready to do a very major attack tomorrow. I’ve put it off for a little while, hopefully, maybe forever, but possibly for a little while, because we’ve had very big discussions with Iran, and we’ll see what they amount to,” Trump said.

Earlier Tuesday, Trump indicated that military action had come extremely close to being approved before he ultimately halted the plan.

“I was an hour away” from authorizing a strike on Iran, Trump reportedly said, before explaining why he decided against immediate action.

“I hope we don’t have to do the war, but we may have to give them another big hit,” he added. “I’m not sure yet. You’ll know very soon.”

Trump also accused Iran of pursuing nuclear weapons with dangerous intentions extending far beyond the region itself.

Trump said Iran wants a nuclear weapon “to blow up the Middle East and, frankly, to blow up the world. It’s not gonna happen.”

{Matzav.com}