April 15 (Reuters) - The Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday, citing sources familiar with the matter, that the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump wants American automakers and other manufacturing companies to play a larger role in weapons production.

The newspaper reported that senior Defense Department officials held talks about weapons production and other military supplies with top executives at companies such as General Motors and Ford Motor, noting that the talks began before the Iran war.

Reuters was unable to immediately verify this report.