ISTANBUL

US President Donald Trump said Thursday that Iran's national football team is welcome to compete in this summer's World Cup but warned it may not be safe for them to do so.

"I really don’t believe it is appropriate that they be there, for their own life and safety," he wrote on his social media platform, Truth Social.

The remarks came after FIFA President Gianni Infantino said Trump had assured him Iran's team was welcome to participate in the tournament, which is being hosted in the US, Canada, and Mexico.

Iran's Sports Minister Ahmad Donyamali had already said the country would not take part, citing the killing of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in the US-Israeli joint attacks on Iran that began Feb. 28. "Under no circumstances do we have the appropriate conditions to participate in the World Cup," he said.