US President Donald Trump said Thursday that a deal was close on Iran's nuclear programme, voicing optimism at avoiding a military strike on Tehran's sites.

 

"We're not going to be making any nuclear dust in Iran," Trump said in Qatar, the second stop of his multi-day Gulf tour. "I think we're getting close to maybe doing a deal without having to do this."

 

Oil prices plunged more than three percent after the statement.

 

West Texas Intermediate sank 3.29 percent to USD 61.07 and Brent shed 3.15 percent to USD 64.01.

 

Trump said his tour could raise up to USD 4 trillion in deals during a meeting with business leaders in Doha on Thursday.

 

"This is a record tour. There's never been a tour that will raise – it could be a total of USD 3.5-4 trillion just in these four or five days," Trump said.

 

He added that he can still go to Turkey on Friday if Russia-Ukraine talks progress.

 

"You know, if something happened, I'd go on Friday," Trump said, as a Russian delegation arrived in Istanbul for the talks without President Vladimir Putin.

 

He warned that this country can “go back on the offensive” in case of Houthi attack.

 

"We're dealing with the Houthis, and that was, I think, very successful. But maybe tomorrow an attack will be made, in which case we go back on the offensive.”