Trump Claims Iran War is 'Almost Over' as Ceasefire Holds and New Talks Loom

Donald Trump said he believes the war in Iran is "almost over," telling Fox News that Tehran "desperately" wants to reach a deal, as a two-week ceasefire holds and both sides signal openness to a second round of negotiations. Trump made the remarks in an interview with Fox News, excerpts of which were shared on social media by Fox anchor Maria Bartiromo. The US president added that if Washington were to withdraw now, Iran would need 20 years to rebuild — "and we're not finished yet," he said. A first round of talks in the Pakistani capital Islamabad ended without a result last weekend, with the nuclear program emerging as the central sticking point. According to unconfirmed media reports, a second meeting could follow as early as Thursday.

Vance confident despite deep mistrust between sides Vice President JD Vance expressed confidence in the trajectory of the negotiations, even as he acknowledged the scale of the challenge. Speaking at an event in Athens, Georgia, Vance said enormous progress had been made despite the breakdown in Islamabad. He identified the core obstacle clearly: the United States has sought an agreement under which Iran possesses no nuclear weapons, a condition Iranian negotiators have not accepted. „I have a very good feeling about where we stand” — JD Vance via Spiegel Online Pakistan has been playing an active mediating role, with a senior Pakistani government representative confirming that Islamabad reached out to Tehran and received a positive response to the idea of a second round of talks. Trump praised Field Marshal Asim Munir, Pakistan's Chief of Army Staff, for his diplomatic efforts, saying he was doing "a great job."

Iran blames US maximalism as blockade takes hold Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian placed responsibility for the Islamabad failure squarely on Washington, citing a lack of good will and what he described as maximalist demands from the US side. The breakdown came despite the active ceasefire, which has been in place for two weeks. Trump separately announced a blockade of Iranian ports in the Strait of Hormuz, which came into force on Monday afternoon. The blockade adds economic pressure on Tehran at a moment when diplomatic channels remain open but fragile. Trump told the New York Post by telephone — speaking to a reporter he said should "actually stay there, because something could happen in the next two days" — that movement was possible in either Europe or Pakistan. According to CNN, Vice President Vance is expected to lead the second round of negotiations if it proceeds.

Macron and Guterres push for diplomatic resumption International pressure for a negotiated solution has been building alongside the military and economic pressure. French President Emmanuel Macron called both Trump and Pezeshkian separately to urge a resumption of peace negotiations. UN Secretary-General António Guterres told reporters that a resumption of talks between the United States and Iran was very likely, citing corresponding signs. „I think it's almost over. I mean, I look at it as being almost over” — Donald Trump via Fox News The convergence of optimistic signals from Washington, Pakistani mediation efforts, and international diplomatic pressure suggests the framework for a second round of talks is taking shape, though no date or venue has been officially confirmed. The outcome of any future negotiations will hinge largely on whether the two sides can bridge the gap on Iran's nuclear program — the issue that derailed the first round in Islamabad.

The US-Israel war on Iran, known as Operation Epic Fury, began on February 28, 2026, with initial strikes that killed Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. His son Mojtaba Khamenei was subsequently appointed Supreme Leader on March 9, 2026. The conflict marked a dramatic escalation of years of tensions over Iran's nuclear program and regional influence. The first round of ceasefire-era negotiations took place in Islamabad, Pakistan, and ended without agreement last weekend, with the question of Iran's nuclear capabilities identified as the principal obstacle to a deal.

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