Trump Declares Iran War ‘Close to Over’ as Pakistan’s Army Chief Arrives in Tehran
US President Donald Trump announced that the conflict with Iran is nearing its conclusion, urging the global community to prepare for what he described as “an amazing two days.” This statement coincided with the arrival of Pakistan’s army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, in Tehran, aimed at mediating efforts to prevent further escalation of hostilities.
Diplomatic Efforts Intensify
The renewed diplomatic initiative follows a recent round of negotiations in Pakistan that ended without a resolution. US and Iranian officials are considering a return to Islamabad for additional discussions. Reports indicate that Israel anticipates an extension of a two-week ceasefire that was agreed upon last week with Iranian representatives.
Field Marshal Munir’s visit to Tehran was confirmed by Pakistan’s military. An Iranian source noted that Munir, who previously mediated talks, is in Iran to help bridge the divide between the two nations.
Trump expressed optimism about the situation, stating that he believes a deal is imminent. He conveyed this sentiment during an interview on Fox Business Network, indicating that he perceives the conflict as “very close to over.” He added that both sides appear eager to reach an agreement.
Recent Developments in the Conflict
The talks that took place last weekend failed to yield an agreement to end the war, which began on February 28 when Trump, alongside Israel, initiated military actions that prompted Iranian retaliations against Gulf neighbors and reignited tensions between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon.
Trump’s optimistic outlook has positively influenced global stock markets, pushing them toward record highs. Oil prices, which had seen a decline earlier in the week, have stabilized around $95 per barrel, following reports that the US blockade of Iranian ports has significantly disrupted maritime trade.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that the US blockade is fully operational and applies to vessels from all nations. Finance ministers from nearly a dozen countries, led by Britain, have urged the US, Israel, and Iran to fully implement the ceasefire, warning that the ongoing conflict could adversely impact the global economy.
Military Actions and Blockades
The US military has intensified its enforcement of maritime restrictions, turning back additional vessels, including the US-sanctioned, Chinese-owned tanker Rich Starry. A US destroyer intercepted two oil tankers attempting to depart from the Iranian port of Chabahar.
Despite the blockade, an Iranian supertanker reportedly navigated towards Iran’s Imam Khomeini port. While both nations have avoided direct military confrontation at sea since the blockade’s implementation, Iran has warned of potential retaliation against any military actions.
Iran’s joint military command has indicated that it would halt trade flows in the Gulf, the Sea of Oman, and the Red Sea if the US blockade persists. Trump has also signaled a willingness to escalate military actions if the conflict resumes, stating that the US could swiftly target critical infrastructure in Iran.
Future Negotiations and Challenges
Trump indicated that his negotiators are likely to return to Pakistan, crediting Field Marshal Munir for his effective mediation. Vice President JD Vance, who led the US delegation during the recent talks, acknowledged the desire for a “grand bargain” with Iran but noted the significant mistrust that exists between the two nations.
Iran’s nuclear ambitions remain a contentious issue in negotiations. The US has proposed a 20-year suspension of all nuclear activities, a shift from its previous demand for a permanent ban. In contrast, Iran has suggested a temporary halt of 3 to 5 years. The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Rafael Grossi, remarked that the duration of any moratorium on uranium enrichment is a political decision, hinting at the possibility of a compromise.
Washington has also called for the removal of enriched nuclear material from Iran, while Tehran insists on the lifting of international sanctions. Sources involved in the negotiations have indicated that back-channel discussions have made progress in narrowing differences, potentially paving the way for a new round of talks.
Regional Tensions and Ongoing Conflicts
The situation remains complicated by ongoing Israeli military actions in Lebanon targeting Iran-backed Hezbollah. Both Israel and the US maintain that these operations are not subject to the ceasefire, while Iran argues that they are.
Israel’s security cabinet is scheduled to meet to discuss a possible ceasefire in Lebanon, following rare discussions between Israeli and Lebanese officials in Washington.
Humanitarian Impact of the Conflict
The ongoing war has severely impacted the region, with Iran effectively closing the Strait of Hormuz—a critical route for global oil shipments—to all vessels except its own. This has led to a significant reduction in oil exports from the Gulf, particularly affecting Asian and European markets.
The oil market is expected to tighten further, as the US plans to allow a 30-day waiver of sanctions on Iranian oil to expire this week. The conflict has resulted in an estimated 5,000 fatalities, with approximately 3,000 in Iran and 2,000 in Lebanon. The governor of Tehran province reported that many of the deceased were students, women, teachers, and university professors.
As reported by www.arnnewscentre.ae.
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Published on 2026-04-15 14:13:00 • By FAME Delivered News Desk