US President Donald Trump said Wednesday that he prevented Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan from joining the war involving Iran, describing the Turkish leader as a “prime candidate” to enter the conflict.

“He was a prime candidate to go into the war with Iran — maybe on the Iran side, because he’s not a big fan of Israel,” Trump claims, even though Turkey came under Iranian fire at one point.

Speaking from the Oval Office during a meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, Trump said he personally intervened to keep Turkey out of the conflict.

“I asked him to stay out. He stayed out,” Trump tells reporters in the Oval Office.

Trump also offered praise for Erdogan, calling him “a great leader, a very strong person… Everything I’ve ever asked from him, he’s done.”

The remarks came as questions were raised about a potential US arms package for Turkey, including the possibility of advanced fighter jets.

Asked whether Washington was preparing a major “gift bag,” potentially including F-35 aircraft for Ankara, Trump responded that a deal could be in the works.

“I think so, look… I’m going to probably do something that’s going to make him very happy,” Trump says.