U.S. President Donald Trump has said the ongoing conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran is nearing its end, expressing optimism that a resolution could be achieved soon.
In an interview set to air on Wednesday, Trump told Fox Business anchor Maria Bartiromo that he believes the war is “very close to over.” A video excerpt of the interview was shared on social media platform X.
“I think it’s close to over, yeah. I mean, I view it as very close to over,” Trump said when asked directly whether the conflict had ended.
The president added that while significant progress has been made, the situation remains fluid. “You know what, if I pulled up stakes right now, it would take them 20 years to rebuild that country, and we’re not finished. We’ll see what happens. I think they want to make a deal very badly,” he said, suggesting continued pressure on Iran while leaving room for negotiation.
Bartiromo, speaking in a separate video shared on Instagram, revealed that Trump repeatedly referred to the conflict in the past tense during their conversation. This prompted her to ask directly whether the war had already ended.
“He said: ‘It’s over,’” she recounted, highlighting the president’s shifting tone between cautious optimism and apparent finality.
The remarks come amid ongoing diplomatic efforts to end the conflict, which began on February 28 and has since heightened tensions across the Middle East. Over the weekend, representatives from the United States and Iran held talks in Islamabad, aimed at securing a permanent resolution. However, the negotiations ended without a formal agreement.
Despite the setback, efforts to resume dialogue are continuing. Trump indicated on Tuesday that direct talks between Washington and Tehran could restart within days, again in Pakistan, signaling a potential breakthrough in diplomatic engagement.
The role of Pakistan as a mediator has been central to recent developments. Earlier this month, Islamabad successfully brokered a two-week ceasefire on April 8, which remains in effect. The truce has provided a temporary pause in hostilities and created space for renewed negotiations.
Observers note that Trump’s comments reflect a cautiously optimistic outlook, even as uncertainties persist regarding the durability of the ceasefire and the prospects for a comprehensive peace agreement. His assertion that Iran is eager to reach a deal suggests that diplomatic pressure may be influencing Tehran’s position.
However, analysts warn that declaring the conflict “close to over” may be premature, given the complexity of the issues involved and the absence of a formal agreement. The failure of the most recent round of talks underscores the challenges facing negotiators as they attempt to bridge longstanding differences.
As preparations continue for another round of discussions, attention will focus on whether both sides can capitalize on the current ceasefire to achieve a lasting settlement. For now, Trump’s remarks signal a potential turning point in the conflict, even as the path to peace remains uncertain.
