Trump Signals Iran War Could End Soon; Allies Convene on Strait of Hormuz

Photo: PBS News

WASHINGTON/ISLAMABAD April 17 (Reuters) - President Donald Trump said on Friday that a deal to end the war in Iran may be close, though the timing remains uncertain. He noted that Tehran appears eager for an agreement, suggesting the current two-week ceasefire might not need to be extended. Talks could resume in Islamabad, where Trump indicated he might attend if a deal is signed.

Meanwhile, Britain and France are set to chair a meeting of around 40 nations to discuss restoring freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global energy route largely shut down since the conflict began in late February. The war, sparked by a U.S.-Israeli offensive, has killed thousands and disrupted oil flows, raising fears of a global recession.

Diplomatic sources say progress has been made in backchannel negotiations, with a memorandum of understanding possible within 60 days. Key sticking points remain over Iran’s nuclear program: Washington has proposed a 20-year suspension, while Tehran has countered with three to five years. Disputes also continue over the fate of Iran’s highly enriched uranium stockpile.

In Lebanon, a U.S.-backed ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah largely held on Friday, allowing displaced families to cautiously return home. While some celebrated the truce, others found their neighborhoods destroyed and uninhabitable, underscoring the fragility of the peace.

Global markets rallied this week on optimism that a deal may be near, with oil prices stabilizing below $100 a barrel. Still, the International Monetary Fund has warned that prolonged conflict could tip the world economy into recession.