Trump says Iran war 'close to over'

Sayyid Badr bin Hamad al Busaidy, Foreign Minister, received here on Wednesday Jan Arno, Personal Envoy of the United Nations Secretary-General for the Middle East conflict. During the meeting, the two sides discussed the situation in the Middle East in general, and regional developments in particular, in light of the repercussions of the Israeli-American war on Iran and the ongoing ceasefire, as well as efforts to find solutions capable of bringing a definitive end to the conflict in the region across all political, security, economic, and humanitarian dimensions.
Sayyid Badr affirmed the Sultanate of Oman's support for UN-led efforts aimed at prioritising peaceful and diplomatic solutions and creating favourable conditions for regional dialogue among all parties, thereby contributing to de-escalation, confidence-building, and the restoration of security and stability to the region.
For his part, the UN envoy expressed his deep appreciation for the constructive role undertaken by the Sultanate of Oman and its long-standing historical experience in supporting peace initiatives, mediation efforts, and the enhancement of regional stability. He commended Oman's approach, which is rooted in dialogue and the reconciliation of divergent viewpoints.
The meeting was attended by Shaikh Abdulaziz bin Abdullah al Hinai, Ambassador-at-Large at the Foreign Ministry, along with a number of officials from both sides.
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump said the war with Iran ​was close to over, telling the world to brace for an 'amazing two days', as the army chief of mediator Pakistan arrived in Tehran in a bid to prevent a renewed conflict.
The diplomatic push came as US and Iranian officials weighed a return to Pakistan for further talks after negotiations there ended on Sunday without a breakthrough.
Pakistan's military confirmed Field Marshal Asim Munir had arrived in Tehran. A senior Iranian source said that Munir, who had mediated the last round of talks, was heading to Iran 'to narrow gaps' between the two sides.
'I think you're going to be watching an amazing two days ahead,' Trump told ABC News reporter Jonathan Karl, according to a post by the reporter on X, adding he did not think it would be necessary to extend a two-week ceasefire that expires next week.
'I think it’s close to over, yeah. I mean, I view it as very close to over,' Trump said in an interview on Fox Business Network conducted on Tuesday and broadcast on Wednesday. 'We’ll see what happens. I think they want to make a deal very badly.'
Officials from Pakistan, Iran and Gulf states also said both sides could return to Islamabad in the coming days.
The talks last weekend broke down without an agreement to end the war, which Trump launched alongside Israel on February 28, triggering Iranian attacks on Iran's Gulf neighbours and reigniting a conflict between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon. SEE ALSO P6 & 7