Washington DC [US], April 15 (ANI): US President Donald Trump on Wednesday said that the conflict with Iran is “close to over”, despite a stalemate in negotiations with Tehran to achieve a complete solution to the hostilities in West Asia.In an interview with Fox News, Trump expressed optimism about the situation, even as reports suggest the possibility of a second round of talks between the two sides after the stalemate in the first round of talks in Islamabad.”I think it’s close to over.

I mean, I view it as very close to over,” Trump said to Fox News.He further suggested that the United States holds a strong strategic position, adding, “If I pulled up stakes right now, it would take them 20 years to rebuild that country, and we’re not finished, but we’ll see what happens.”The US President further asserted that Tehran wants to make a deal “very badly”, “I think they want to make a deal very badly.”

Trump‘s remarks come amid growing speculation about renewed diplomatic engagement between Washington and Tehran, with reports indicating that a second round of talks could be on the horizon.

According to CNN, citing sources familiar with the matter, Washington is currently weighing a possible second round of negotiations with Iran, with US Vice President JD Vance again likely to lead the American delegation, with Islamabad again emerging as a probable venue.

Trump‘s special envoy Steve Witkoff and his son-in-law Jared Kushner, who have headed diplomatic talks since before the war began, are also expected to attend any possible second meeting, the sources said, quoted by CNN.Trump has entrusted his three senior advisers with the responsibility of exploring a diplomatic pathway to end the ongoing hostilities.

Vance, Witkoff and Kushner have remained in contact with Iranian officials and intermediaries following a recent 21-hour round of discussions as part of efforts to move closer to a potential agreement.However, officials are still deliberating over the specifics of a second round, and no final decision has been taken.”Future talks are under discussion, but nothing has been scheduled at this time,” a US official said, quoted by CNN. (ANI)

“Blockade of Iranian ports has been fully implemented”: US CENTCOM

The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) on Wednesday announced that a full blockade of Iran‘s ports has been successfully implemented, with US forces asserting maritime dominance across key regional waterways, particularly the Strait of Hormuz.In a statement, CENTCOM Commander Admiral Brad Cooper stated that within just 36 hours of initiating the blockade, US forces had effectively stopped all maritime trade flowing in and out of Iran.”

A blockade of Iranian ports has been fully implemented as U.S. forces maintain maritime superiority in the Middle East. An estimated 90 per cent of Iran‘s economy is fueled by international trade by sea. In less than 36 hours since the blockade was implemented, U.S. forces have completely halted economic trade going into and out of Iran by sea,” the statement read.

CENTCOM, in a separate statement on X, stated that US Navy guided-missile destroyers are actively enforcing the blockade, with the mission being carried out impartially, targeting vessels of all nations entering or leaving Iranian ports and coastal areas.”

A typical destroyer has a crew of more than 300 Sailors that are highly trained in conducting offensive and defensive maritime operations,” the statement added, highlighting the scale and preparedness of the deployed naval assets.

Earlier, CENTCOM revealed that more than 10,000 US personnel, including Sailors, Marines, and airmen, alongside over a dozen warships and dozens of aircraft, are involved in the blockade operation.Within the first 24 hours, no ships reportedly breached the blockade, while six merchant vessels complied with US directives to turn back and re-enter an Iranian port in the Gulf of Oman.

The blockade extends across all Iranian ports along the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, with US forces maintaining strict enforcement measures. CENTCOM further noted that while the blockade restricts access to Iranian ports, US forces continue to support freedom of navigation for vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz to and from non-Iranian ports.The development marks a significant escalation in US–Iran tensions, with potential implications for global trade and regional stability. (ANI)