WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump expressed optimism that the ongoing conflict with Iran is “very close to being over,” as diplomatic efforts continue through Pakistani mediation ahead of the scheduled expiry of a two-week ceasefire, White House officials and the president said on Wednesday.
Trump made the remarks in a prerecorded interview with Fox Business Network’s “Mornings with Maria,” which aired on Wednesday. “I think it’s close to over, yeah. I view it as very close to being over,” he said. He added that Iran “wants to make a deal very badly.”
The comments come days after high-level U.S.-Iran talks in Islamabad ended without agreement. The face-to-face negotiations, the first direct high-level meetings between the two sides in more than a decade, lasted more than 20 hours over the weekend of April 11-12 but failed to produce a deal, according to U.S. Vice President JD Vance and Iranian officials.
A fragile ceasefire, brokered with Pakistani assistance and effective from April 8, is set to expire next week. Pakistan has continued mediation efforts, with its army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, traveling to Tehran on Wednesday for talks with Iranian officials.
The Trump administration has maintained economic pressure during the truce period, including a naval blockade of Iranian ports. White House officials have signaled openness to a potential second round of talks in Pakistan, while noting that details of any extension or new negotiations remain under discussion.
Iranian officials have reaffirmed Tehran’s commitment to promoting peace but have not confirmed acceptance of a ceasefire extension. Iran’s foreign ministry spokesperson indicated there is no fixed timetable for further negotiations following the breakdown in Islamabad.
The conflict escalated after U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iranian targets began on Feb. 28. The ceasefire halted direct hostilities, though broader regional issues, including navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, have persisted.
Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and other officials have engaged regional partners to support de-escalation. Pakistani authorities have described their role as that of a neutral facilitator.
As of Thursday, no new round of talks had been formally scheduled, and the status of the ceasefire beyond its current term was under discussion through indirect channels. No immediate violations of the truce were reported.
The White House has not detailed specific terms under consideration for any potential resolution. Iranian representatives have stressed the need for the U.S. to demonstrate seriousness in any commitments.
