Trump: I asked Netanyahu to continue striking Iran

US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that he encouraged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to continue his campaign in Iran.

"I told him, 'Keep going,'" Trump told CNN when asked about his message to the Israeli leader amid escalating regional tensions.

"I talk to him every day. He's a good guy and puts in a lot of effort," he added.

Trump's last known conversation with Netanyahu was on Tuesday, as the US president was considering joining Israel in bombing Iran.

President Trump declined to answer reporters' questions on Wednesday about whether the United States was planning to bomb Iran or its nuclear facilities, saying that the Iranians had communicated with Washington, but he believed "the time for talk has passed."

"There's a big difference between now and a week ago," Trump told reporters. "Nobody knows what I'm going to do."

Trump confirmed that Iran had contacted the United States for negotiations, several days after the exchange of strikes with Israel.

Asked whether Tehran had communicated with Washington, the US president replied, "Yes," adding, "I said it was too late for talks... There's a huge difference between today and a week ago. Isn't that right?" He continued, saying the Iranians "offered to come to the White House," describing the proposal as "brave."

He added that Iran had proposed holding talks at the White House. He did not provide details, describing Iran as having no air defense at all.

Trump said he believes Netanyahu has been "treated very unfairly by his country," in an apparent reference to ongoing legal cases in Israel.

When asked if he had given Netanyahu any indication that he might help the country beyond what he had already given, Trump denied it.

"No. So far, he's done a good job. He's been treated very unfairly. He's a wartime president, and he's going through this nonsense, it's ridiculous," Trump said.