WASHINGTON — President Trump signed an order keeping the US Embassy in Tel Aviv rather than move it to Jerusalem as he promised during last year’s campaign, aides said Thursday, disappointing many Israel supporters in hopes of preserving his chances of negotiating a peace settlement.

Aides said the decision was just a delay and that he still plans to eventually move the embassy to Jerusalem when conditions are right, although past presidents have said the same without ever acting. The White House said in a statement that Trump’s move should not be considered “a retreat from the president’s strong support for Israel’’ and its alliance with the United States.

“President Trump made this decision to maximize the chances of successfully negotiating a deal between Israel and the Palestinians, fulfilling his solemn obligation to defend America’s national security interest,’’ the statement said. “But, as he has repeatedly stated his intention to move the embassy, the question is not if that happens, but only when.’’

Trump made no mention of his pending decision during a visit to Jerusalem just last week and waited to announce it until almost the last minute he could under law, underscoring the deep political sensitivity of the matter.

The order he signed waives for six months a congressional edict requiring the embassy be located in Jerusalem, meaning he will have to consider the matter again by Dec. 1.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel, who has nurtured a close relationship with Trump, offered only modest regret for the decision publicly.

“Though Israel is disappointed that the embassy will not move at this time, we appreciate today’s expression of President Trump’s friendship to Israel and his commitment to moving the embassy in the future,’’ his office said in a statement.

In the case of the embassy, Trump may dishearten powerful supporters like Sheldon Adelson, the Las Vegas casino magnate and Republican donor who is close to Netanyahu and owns a newspaper in Israel.

Some hard-line Israel backers have privately expressed concern that Trump has not lived up to his campaign pledges because he has been seduced into thinking he may reach the “ultimate deal’’ that has eluded every other president.