President Donald Trump on Wednesday confirmed that he told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu last week to back off any moves to strike Iran as negotiations on its nuclear program remain ongoing. 

“I’d like to be honest, yes, I did,” he said in response to a reporter’s question on the issue. “It’s not a warning. I said I don’t think it’s appropriate.”

Trump said he is pushing for a diplomatic agreement to stop Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. 

WASHINGTON, DC – APRIL 07: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin (L) talks to U.S. President Donald Trump during a meeting in the Oval Office of the White House on April 7, 2025 in Washington, DC. President Trump is meeting with Netanyahu to discuss ongoing efforts to release Israeli hostages from Gaza and newly imposed U.S. tariffs.  (Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)

In a letter obtained by Fox News Digital, the Iranian foreign minister warned the U.N. Security Council on Thursday of “catastrophic consequences” should Israel strike its nuclear infrastructure, and warned the “government of the United States would bear legal responsibility – having been complicit therein.”

Netanyahu’s office on Wednesday rejected a report by The New York Times which reported on Netanyahu’s alleged ambitions to hit Iran as “fake news.”

Though the president’s comments to reporters just hours later could suggest otherwise. 

Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu hold signs as he addresses the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly, Friday, Sept. 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Pamela Smith) (AP Photo/Pamela Smith)

The Trump administration described the most recent negotiations with Iran as positive and on Sunday the president told reporters, “We’ve had some very, very good talks with Iran.”

“I don’t know if I’ll be telling you anything good or bad over the next two days, but I have a feeling I might be telling you something good,” Trump added.

Yonat Frilling contributed to this report.