New Delhi, Aug. 17 -- US President Donald Trump ordered the Pentagon on Sunday to scale back planned joint military exercises with South Korea, saying it declined to help denuclearise Iran. Trump also cited his good relationship with North Korea's Kim Jong Un.

".based on the fact that it is too late to cancel, I have instructed Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth, to substantially reduce the Joint Military Exercises!," Trump said in a post on TRUTH Social.

Trump said in a social media post that the exercises slated to begin this week are not only costly but "send a signal that is totally inappropriate and hostile" to North Korea, which he said "has been unthreatening and respectful" during his time in the White House.

He wrote, "Based on my...