'Close to over': Trump hints at end of Iran war, but deal remains elusive

US President Donald Trump said the war involving the United States and Israel against Iran is “close to over,” even as the recent talks between the warring parties failed to reach an agreement.

“I think it’s close to over, yeah. I mean, I view it as very close to over,” Trump said in an interview with Fox Business Network’s “Mornings with Maria”.

The excerpts from the interview were shared on X ahead of the scheduled broadcast on Wednesday.

Pressed on whether the war was effectively finished, Trump suggested that Iran had been significantly weakened but stopped short of declaring a definitive end to hostilities.

“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.

Bartiromo said Trump repeatedly referred to the conflict in the past tense during their conversation, prompting her to ask directly whether the war was over.

“He said: ‘It’s over,’” she said in a video posted on Instagram.

An initial round of talks held last weekend in Pakistan aimed at reaching a permanent end to the conflict failed to produce an agreement. The White House said disagreements over Iran’s nuclear ambitions were a central sticking point.

According to US media reports, another round of talks are under discussion but that no new meetings have been scheduled.

On the ground, a fragile ceasefire appeared to be holding, even as risks of escalation persist, particularly around the strategic Strait of Hormuz.

US Central Command (CENTCOM) commander Adm. Brad Cooper said American forces had established “maritime superiority” and halted economic traffic to and from Iran within hours of launching the operation.

“A blockade of Iranian ports has been fully implemented,” Cooper said in a statement. “In less than 36 hours since the blockade was implemented, US forces have completely halted economic trade going into and out of Iran by sea.”

CENTCOM said more than 10,000 US personnel, backed by over a dozen warships and dozens of aircraft, are involved in the operation.

At least six merchant vessels turned back after warnings from US forces, and no ships passed through the blockade in the first 24 hours, it said.

The blockade drew swift criticism from China, which called it a “dangerous and irresponsible move” that risks undermining a fragile ceasefire and escalating confrontation in the region.

“Only a complete ceasefire can fundamentally create conditions for easing the situation,” Guo said, urging all parties to resolve disputes through diplomatic means.

China, a major importer of Iranian oil despite US sanctions, could face long-term economic impacts from the disruption.