Trump: War is ‘very close’ to ending, Iran wants a deal ‘very badly’

“I think [the war is] close to over, yeah. I mean, I view it as very close to over,” Trump said.

By World Israel News Staff

President Donald Trump said the United States and Iran may be nearing a long-term ceasefire agreement that could bring a permanent end to the war between the two countries, he said in an interview on Tuesday evening.

“I think [the war is] close to over, yeah. I mean, I view it as very close to over,” Trump told Fox News.

Trump stressed the U.S.’ military achievements during the conflict, saying that Iran has sustained serious damage during the fighting.

“If I pulled up stakes right now, it would take them 20 years to rebuild that country,” he added. “And we’re not finished. We’ll see what happens. I think they want to make a deal very badly.”

Trump’s comments come after a round of high-stakes negotiations between U.S. and Iranian officials in Islamabad, Pakistan, collapsed over the weekend following nearly 24 hours of marathon talks. Despite the breakdown, both sides appear to be leaving the door open for continued diplomacy.

According to a report by Reuters, sources familiar with the discussions said the two delegations reached agreement on many major issues. However, Iran’s nuclear development program remained a key sticking point and ultimately derailed progress toward a final deal.

The sources added that American and Iranian negotiators may reconvene in Islamabad in the near future, signaling that diplomacy is still ongoing despite the setback.

Vice President JD Vance, who attended the talks, struck an optimistic tone in recent public remarks. He said “a lot of progress” had been made toward a long-term agreement, but emphasized that “the ball is very much in Iran’s court,” adding that Tehran will determine the next steps.

On Tuesday, Trump ordered the U.S. Navy to impose a full maritime blockade on Iran’s strategic waterways, including the Strait of Hormuz and key ports, increasing pressure on Tehran amid the stalled negotiations.

A temporary two-week ceasefire between the United States and Iran is set to expire on April 21. Some analysts believe Trump may extend the deadline, allowing more time for negotiations.