WASHINGTON, United States, Jan 30, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - US President Donald Trump said Thursday he hoped to avoid military action against Iran, saying he planned to have further talks with Tehran on a possible nuclear deal.

"I built (up) the military in my first term, and now we have a group headed out to a place called Iran, and hopefully we won't have to use it," Trump told reporters at the premiere of a documentary about his wife Melania.

Asked if he would have talks with Iran, Trump added: "I have had and I am planning on it. Yes, we have a lot of very big, very powerful ships sailing to Iran right now, and it would be great if we didn't have to use them."