Trump, Merkel discuss Iran nuclear deal

Washington DC [United States] : United States President Donald Trump and German Chancellor Angela Merkel have discussed the 2015 Iran nuclear deal during the latter's one-day working trip to Washington.

Her visit comes days after French President Emmanuel Macron's recent visit.

The two leaders held a joint press conference at the White House.

Trump stated that he and Merkel talked about the Iran nuclear deal, but didn't mention if they had reached an agreement.

"The Iranian regime fuels violence, bloodshed and chaos all across the Middle East," CNN reported, citing Trump, as saying at a joint press conference.

"We must ensure that this murderous regime does not even get close to a nuclear weapon, and that Iran ends its proliferation of dangerous missiles and its support for terrorism. No matter where you go in the Middle East, wherever there's a problem, Iran is right there," he added.

However, it is unclear if the two leaders come to any agreements in terms of the Iran nuclear deal.

On Tuesday, the US President threatened to leave the Iran deal, calling it "insane," while adding that "it should have never ever been made".

The Iran nuclear deal was signed between six countries in 2015 - Iran, US, Britain, Germany, Russia, France and China for lifting economic sanctions on Tehran in exchange for limitations to the country's nuclear programme.

The visit comes ahead of a looming May 12 deadline to preserve the Iran nuclear agreement, which Trump has called frequently criticised in the past.

This is Merkel's first trip to the US after assuming power as the German Chancellor for a record fourth time last month.