Lead
US President Donald Trump has said the US-led war against Iran is "very close to over," offering his most optimistic assessment yet as peace efforts shift to Pakistan for another round of negotiations between Washington and Tehran. In an interview with Fox Business, Trump said he views the conflict as nearing its end, adding, "I think they want to make a deal very badly."
His remarks come as Pakistani officials work to facilitate the resumption of talks following two days of discussions in Islamabad over the weekend, which concluded without an agreement. Trump hinted at further progress, saying "We'll see what happens," while Vice President JD Vance said the US is pursuing a "grand bargain" with Iran rather than a limited agreement.
Coverage comparison
Coverage of the war's trajectory and ceasefire efforts has been broadly consistent, though outlets have emphasized different angles. The ABC Australia live blog anchored its report on Trump's comments about the conflict being "close to over," while also noting that Israel's security cabinet met to discuss a potential ceasefire in Lebanon. Al Jazeera framed the same remarks within the context of global economic fears, noting that the International Monetary Fund had warned of a possible global recession if the war escalates further.
The Economist's weekly digest reported that the US-Iran talks in Pakistan, which it described as the highest-level official discussions since Iran's 1979 revolution, ended without a deal, with both sides preparing for another round. The Jerusalem Post emphasized the imminent resumption of negotiations, quoting Vance saying "a lot of progress" had been made and that "the ball is very much in their court."
Key claims
- Trump's assessment: "I think it's close to over. I mean I view it as very close to over... What if I pulled up stakes right now? It would take them 20 years to rebuild that country," Trump said in the Fox Business interview, adding "We're not finished."
- Potential talks: Trump hinted at further dialogue, saying a deal could come before King Charles III visits Washington late this month. "It's possible. Very possible. They're beaten up pretty bad," he said in a separate Sky News interview.
- 'Grand bargain': Vice President JD Vance said Trump wants a comprehensive agreement addressing nuclear and other key issues, rather than a narrow deal.
- No deal yet: The two sides failed to reach an agreement during weekend talks in Islamabad, with differences remaining over uranium enrichment and other issues.
Perspectives
US position: The Trump administration maintains military pressure, including a naval blockade of all Iranian ports, while signaling openness to negotiations. Trump reiterated that Iran wants a deal "very badly," and both sides have expressed a willingness to continue talks.
Iran's demands: Tehran's stated requirements for a settlement include the release of its frozen assets, the lifting of both primary and secondary sanctions, and a role in regulating traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, according to Yonhap.
Regional and global stakes: The IMF warned that further escalation could tip the global economy into recession. Meanwhile, Iran's military has threatened to block trade through the Red Sea if the US blockade continues. The blockade, enforced by more than 10,000 US troops, has raised humanitarian concerns, with the Red Cross reporting the first aid shipment to Iran since the war began.
Israel-Lebanon track: In a separate diplomatic push, Israeli and Lebanese representatives held rare direct talks in Washington, with Lebanon seeking a ceasefire with Hezbollah and Israel demanding the group's disarmament.