Trump Hopes for Iran Deal Amid Ongoing Conflict

President Donald Trump remarked on Wednesday that Iran has reached out to the United States “directly” and is eager for a deal. He expressed optimism that the longstanding conflict may be nearing its conclusion, especially after suggesting last week that the fighting would likely end after the upcoming midterm elections in November.

“Hopefully we’re toward the end of the war,” Trump told reporters in North Carolina, touching on the current status of the conflict.

He then shifted to discuss potential negotiations with Iran, noting, “Iran is very much wanting to make a deal. We’ll see how that works out.”

When asked later if he had communicated with Iran directly or indirectly, Trump confirmed, “Directly.”

This statement aligns with Trump’s previous comments that hint at a possible resolution to the conflict. Just last week, he mentioned that he believed the fighting would wrap up after the November elections, suggesting that Iran might be facing difficulty in maintaining pressure.

“I think the war will end immediately after the election because they can’t hold out any longer,” Trump stated.

By Monday, he was publicly indicating that Iran was actively pursuing an agreement while leaving the ultimate decision about renewed engagement up to the U.S.

On Truth Social, Trump wrote, “The failing Nation of Iran wants to make a deal, quickly and badly,” adding that he would decide whether the U.S. would engage, although he mentioned that they were open to the idea.

Vice President JD Vance echoed this emerging sentiment on Tuesday, declaring that the “first phase” of the U.S. campaign was complete and suggesting that the conflict would transition into a “much different phase” in the coming months as Washington focuses on preventing Iran from rebuilding its military capabilities, which have been diminished since the fighting began on February 28.

“There are really two phases to this thing, and the first phase is done,” Vance explained.

He characterized the initial phase as essentially dismantling Iran’s nuclear program and significantly degrading its conventional military strength.

The next step, he emphasized, would involve ensuring that Iran cannot rebuild its capabilities while striving to maintain global stability.

Vance also suggested that a substantial shift could occur in the conflict after the midterms, noting that the timing of when the campaign concludes rests with the president.

“We can’t predict the future, but I think the president is right to say that this thing will enter a much different phase in a couple of months,” he remarked, reiterating that Trump ultimately decides the start and end of conflicts.

The administration is already preparing for potential scenarios that may follow this current phase. Trump is anticipated to meet with Gulf leaders on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly next Tuesday to discuss further actions in the conflict. A report indicated that this meeting would cover U.S. proposals for a postwar strategy, with plans potentially being finalized after the midterm elections. Invitations have already been sent to leaders from several countries, including Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, with the possibility of extending to other Arab and Muslim nations.

These diplomatic gestures come as the U.S. continues to exert military and economic pressures aimed at both stopping Iran from rebuilding its military and further isolating its regime economically.

In a statement, CENTCOM spokesman Capt. Tim Hawkins affirmed that recognized shipping lanes in the Strait of Hormuz remain clear of mines, with U.S. forces maintaining a vigilant presence to keep them open.

“The strait is open, those lanes are open, and that is why commercial vessels continue to flow through them,” Hawkins noted, referring to the U.S. blockade against Iran as “ironclad.”

CENTCOM also reported that U.S. forces have redirected 103 commercial vessels under the blockade, and since early May, the military has facilitated the transportation of over 900 million barrels of crude through Hormuz.

At the same time, Washington is tightening its financial efforts to restrict Iran’s revenue sources. The Treasury recently gathered global financial institutions to provide guidance aimed at curtailing revenue streams connected to the Iranian government.

“Treasury continues to sever every economic lifeline Tehran has left,” said Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, explaining that financial entities are collaborating closely with the U.S. government to support this campaign.

The Treasury’s partnership with the private sector is intended to ensure there’s “no space for the Iranian regime to rebuild its capacity” to pose threats to the U.S. and the broader world.

Even as Trump hints at a potential end to hostilities, he has made it clear that any agreement with Iran would encompass more than the nuclear limitations previously sought by Washington.

“I’m doing much more than a nuclear deal,” Trump stated last week. “There’s a lot more than nuclear.”

He indicated that additional stipulations would now be on the table—demands that weren’t pursued three months ago—which highlights how significantly the terms of any renewed negotiations have changed following nearly seven months of U.S. military and economic pressure.