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US President Donald Trump said entering a war with Iran was "one of the best" things his administration has done, arguing it stopped Tehran from obtaining nuclear weapons. Trump spoke to reporters as he left the White House for an election rally in South Carolina.

He also said talks with Russia over Ukraine are going well and that an agreement may be close, and rejected calls for sanctions on Moscow while negotiations continue.

No regrets over war with Iran

Asked whether he regretted going to war with Iran, Trump said: "No. I think it's one of the best things we've done. We prevented Iran from having nuclear weapons."

The US president noted that earlier presidents had not taken such a step and argued that without his decision, Tehran would "already have nuclear weapons and use them."

Russia talks on Ukraine

Referring to his recent meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Trump said negotiations with Moscow are going well. "We are currently negotiating with Russia on Ukraine. For the first time in a long time, we may be this close to an agreement," he said, adding that when sensitive talks are close to a deal, the agreement itself may be very near.

Trump said some circles in the United States expected sanctions against Russia in the current climate. "You don't impose sanctions in this situation while you are conducting negotiations," he said.

Released US citizen and Russia's role in Iran

Trump said Stephen Hubbard, a US citizen released by Russia, is currently on the way back and added that Washington thanked Moscow for the move. The US president also said Washington was pleased that Russia stayed out of the war process with Iran.

"Russia's influence in the Iran process was very small. Of course they could have done much more, but I am sure they did almost nothing. That is also something you need to take into account," Trump said.

Starlink restrictions in Ukraine

Asked about Starlink, the company owned by Elon Musk, limiting the internet service it provides to the Ukrainian military, Trump said he had no involvement. "I have nothing to do with this issue. I don't know who is involved," he said.

Key takeaways

• Trump said the war with Iran was "one of the best" things he has done and stopped Tehran from getting nuclear weapons.
• He argued Iran would already have nuclear weapons and used them if he had not acted.
• Talks with Russia over Ukraine are close to a possible agreement, Trump said, and sanctions should not be imposed during negotiations.
• Trump denied any role in Starlink's decision to limit internet access for the Ukrainian military.