US President Donald Trump has indicated that the war with Iran may be nearing its conclusion, even as he cautioned that military operations are not yet over and key issues remain unresolved.
Speaking to Fox News on Wednesday, Trump said the conflict was “very close to being over” and expressed hope that renewed negotiations could lead to a breakthrough. “I think it’s close to over, yeah,” he said, adding that Iran appears eager to strike a deal.
At the same time, Trump underscored that Washington is not stepping back just yet. He warned that if the US were to disengage prematurely, Iran could take decades to rebuild, and stressed that further developments would depend on how talks unfold.
Fresh negotiations between US and Iranian delegations are expected to begin in Pakistan from Thursday, offering a potential diplomatic opening after earlier discussions in Islamabad ended without a breakthrough.
Those talks reportedly stalled over disagreements surrounding Tehran’s nuclear programme, particularly uranium enrichment. While US Vice President JD Vance said “a lot of progress” had been made, he also emphasised that the next move lies with Iran. “The ball is very much in their court,” he noted.
The diplomatic push comes amid continued military pressure. Earlier this week, the US announced a naval blockade of Iranian ports following the failed first round of talks, signalling a dual-track strategy of negotiation backed by force.
The conflict, which began on February 28 with coordinated US-Israel strikes on Iran, has significantly reshaped the region’s security landscape. Trump has repeatedly claimed that Iranian leadership and military capabilities have been severely weakened.
Despite these assertions, the war has taken a heavy toll. Thirteen US service members have been killed, along with thousands of casualties reported across the Middle East.
While Trump’s remarks suggest cautious optimism, the situation remains fluid. The success of upcoming talks — and Iran’s response — will likely determine whether the conflict truly moves toward an end or enters another phase of escalation.
