United States President Donald Trump has declared that the Iran war is “very close to over”, expressing confidence that Tehran is eager to reach a peace agreement and predicting a strong rally in financial markets once the conflict concludes.
Speaking in a prerecorded interview on Fox Business Network’s Mornings with Maria, Trump said: “We’ve beaten them militarily, totally. I think it’s close to over, I view it as very close to over … 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 added.
The remarks come as investor optimism grows that a diplomatic resolution between Washington and Tehran may be achievable, despite the collapse of peace talks over the weekend.
Reports from the Associated Press, citing regional officials, suggested that the United States and Iran have reached an “in principle agreement” to extend their fragile two-week ceasefire to allow more time for negotiations.
However, a senior U.S. official told CNBC that Washington “has not formally agreed to an extension of the ceasefire.”
“There is continued engagement between the U.S. and Iran to reach a deal,” the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.
Multiple media outlets have indicated that negotiations could resume before the ceasefire expires next week.
A White House official confirmed that discussions about a second round of talks are ongoing, although no formal schedule has been set.
Trump also told the New York Post that fresh talks in Islamabad “could be happening over the next two days.”
In his Fox Business interview, Trump sought to downplay the impact of the conflict on global markets, arguing that oil prices, which have surged due to supply disruptions, would soon retreat.
He reiterated the administration’s strategic objective, stating, “We have to stop them from ever having a nuclear weapon.”
Looking ahead, Trump struck a bullish tone on equities, declaring that once the conflict ends, the “stock market is going to boom, it’s already booming”.
Diplomatic efforts appear to be intensifying, with U.S. and Iranian officials reportedly considering a return to Pakistan for further negotiations as early as the coming weekend.
Two senior Pakistani officials told MS NOW that talks could resume next week, as both sides seek a pathway to de-escalation.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said at a briefing: "We feel good about the prospects of a deal," describing Pakistan-mediated discussions as "productive and ongoing."
Pakistan’s military confirmed that Field Marshal Asim Munir had arrived in Tehran to help revive negotiations. A senior Iranian source told Reuters that Munir would attempt “to narrow gaps” between the two sides.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi welcomed the visit, stating on X that Tehran remains committed to “promoting peace and stability in the region”.
Despite the diplomatic push, tensions remain elevated. Iranian state outlet Fars reported that Tehran has suspended all petrochemical exports until further notice, signalling ongoing economic strain.
Meanwhile, the United States continues to enforce its blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global shipping route largely controlled by Iran.
U.S. Central Command said the blockade has been fully implemented, “completely” cutting off Tehran’s international sea trade.
Washington has also warned it may impose secondary sanctions on buyers of Iranian oil, in an effort to increase pressure ahead of further negotiations.
