U.S. President Donald Trump stated on Thursday that he was “not in a rush” to launch military strikes against Iran’s nuclear facilities, a day after reports surfaced that he had blocked a proposed attack. His remarks come as Washington and Tehran prepare for a second round of indirect nuclear talks in Rome this weekend.

Speaking alongside Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in the Oval Office, Trump addressed reports that he had rejected an Israeli proposal for a joint military strike on Iran’s nuclear infrastructure.

“I wouldn’t say ‘waved off,’” Trump told reporters. “I'm not in a rush to do it.”

He added, “Iran has a chance to have a great country and to live happily without death, and I would like to see that. That is my first option. If there is a second option, I think that would be very bad for Iran.”

Trump expressed cautious optimism about diplomatic efforts, saying, “I think Iran is wanting to talk. I hope they are wanting to talk.”

According to Iranian state media, the second round of negotiations between the U.S. and Iran will take place in Rome this weekend, with Oman continuing to mediate. The discussions follow last Saturday’s high-stakes meeting in Oman between U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, which focused on Tehran’s nuclear program and potential sanctions relief. Both sides described the initial talks as positive.

Comfort Ero, president of the International Crisis Group, told Rudaw on Thursday that both Iran and the U.S. appear “serious and genuine” in their negotiations. Meanwhile, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’ spokesperson, Stephane Dujarric, expressed hope that the talks would yield “a positive outcome.”

In 2018, Trump withdrew the U.S. from the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), under which Iran had agreed to limit its uranium enrichment in exchange for sanctions relief. After the U.S. exit, Trump reimposed sweeping sanctions, prompting Iran to gradually abandon its nuclear commitments.

Upon returning to office earlier this year, Trump reinstated his “maximum pressure” campaign, warning that Tehran was nearing nuclear weapons capability. He has threatened military action if diplomacy fails.

Iran insists its nuclear program is peaceful. Ahead of the Oman talks, Araghchi wrote in a rare op-ed: “Under no circumstances will Iran ever seek, develop or acquire any nuclear weapons.”

As tensions persist, the world watches closely to see if renewed diplomacy can avert further escalation.