President Donald Trump told ABC News that the US could get involved in the conflict between Iran and Israel and that he was “open” to the idea of his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin acting as a mediator.

The Republican president also explained that negotiations on Iran's nuclear program are continuing and that Tehran “would like to reach an agreement,” perhaps more quickly now that the Islamic republic is exchanging massive strikes with Israel.

“It is possible that we will get involved” in the ongoing battle between the sworn enemies in the Middle East, Trump said in a previously unseen off-camera interview with ABC News political correspondent Rachel Scott.

He stressed that the US is “not currently” involved in the military action, AFP reported.

As for Putin as a potential mediator in the conflict, “he is ready. He called me about it. We talked about it at length,” the US president said.

Israel and Iran exchanged heavy air strikes for the third consecutive day. The death toll rose after Israel's large-scale attacks aimed at destroying Iran's nuclear and military infrastructure, which provoked retaliatory strikes.

Oman, which is acting as a mediator on the nuclear issue, said the sixth round of talks between Iran and the US, scheduled for this weekend, had been canceled.

Trump, however, said the two sides were continuing discussions.

“No, there is no deadline” for the negotiations, he told ABC when asked if there was a deadline for Tehran to sit down at the negotiating table.

“But they are talking. They would like to make a deal. They are talking. They continue to talk,” the head of state added.

Trump hinted that something like the clash between Israel and Iran “had to” happen to stimulate negotiations on a nuclear agreement.

“In fact, it may have accelerated the conclusion of the deal,” he said. | BGNES