Trump declares war is ‘close to over’ and wants ‘grand bargain’ in Iran talks as US claims blockade on Strait of Hormuz ‘fully implemented’ – Updates
Written by: ADAM POGRUND, REPORTER
Updated:
Donald Trump claimed the war in the Middle East was ‘nearing to end’ as the US increased its blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.
Asked if the conflict had reached its conclusion, the US President said: ‘I think it’s close to being over, yes. I see this very close to the end.’
Trump’s comments came after JD Vance said the US wanted to strike a ‘grand bargain’ with Iran. He claimed negotiations were ‘making great progress’ amid failed peace talks in Pakistan at the weekend.
However, he said Trump was not looking for a “little deal” with Iran and wanted to achieve “Trump’s big bargain.”
Meanwhile, the US military said the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz was ‘fully implemented’ as it aimed to gain control over the vital waterway.
US Central Command Admiral Brad Cooper said: ‘The blockade of Iranian ports has been fully implemented.
In less than 36 hours since the blockade was imposed, US forces have completely halted economic trade in and out of Iran by sea.
‘Very possible’ war ends without King visiting US
Donald Trump has claimed it is ‘very possible’ the Iran war will end before King Charles visits the US at the end of the month.
The monarch will travel to the United States for a three-day official visit starting April 27.
Trump told Sky News: ‘It’s possible. It’s very possible. They get beaten pretty bad. “It’s very possible.”
Asked about the UK’s relations with the US, Trump said the situation was ‘better’ before harshly criticizing Sir Keir Starmer’s failure to support the conflict.
He added: ‘How is the relationship? It’s this relationship: When we asked them for help, they weren’t there. They weren’t there when we needed them. They weren’t there when we didn’t need them. And they’re still not there.’
Latest updates
Donald Trump claimed that the war in the Middle East was ‘nearing its end’ despite the failure of peace talks held over the weekend in Pakistan.
While the two-week temporary ceasefire continues:
The USA announced that it increased the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz and ‘completely stopped economic trade entering and leaving Iran by sea’.
Iran has not commented on Trump’s claims, but UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said it was ‘highly likely’ that talks would continue
While Lebanon described the preliminary talks with Israel in the USA as ‘productive’, Israel said that the talks showed that the three countries were ‘on the same side of the equation’.
Donald Trump says ending war ‘very possible’ when King Charles visits US later this month
He also claimed his special relationship with England was ‘better’ and said: ‘I think I like Starmer.’
Welcome to the Daily Mail’s live coverage of the war in the Middle East
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