U.S. President Donald Trump has said that the ongoing conflict involving Iran is “close to over,” as new diplomatic efforts intensify to bring an end to the war and prevent further regional escalation.
His remarks came as Pakistan’s army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, arrived in Tehran to support mediation between the United States and Iran. The visit is seen as part of a wider diplomatic push involving Pakistan, Iran, and several Gulf countries aiming to reduce tensions and restart stalled negotiations.
The conflict began on February 28 and has since created widespread instability across the Middle East. Fighting and political tensions have disrupted trade routes, energy supplies, and regional security, while also increasing concerns about global economic stability.
Diplomatic sources say Pakistan is acting as an important intermediary, helping both sides communicate after earlier talks in Islamabad ended without any agreement. Officials believe that further negotiations could take place soon if progress is made during the current mediation efforts.
At the same time, a fragile ceasefire involving Israel and Iran is reportedly under discussion for extension. However, no final decision has been announced, and both sides are still negotiating key terms.
One of the biggest global concerns remains the impact of the war on energy supply chains. The situation in the Strait of Hormuz has become critical, as it is one of the world’s most important shipping routes for oil and liquefied natural gas.
Due to the conflict, shipping activity through the region has been heavily disrupted. Reports suggest that vessels have faced restrictions or diversions, while insurance costs and shipping risks have increased significantly. These disruptions have affected oil markets and created uncertainty for importing countries in Asia and Europe.
The U.S. military has said that several vessels have been turned back or prevented from entering restricted waters during the blockade period. However, Iranian state-linked media has disputed parts of these claims, saying some sanctioned ships have still managed to move through the region.
Iran has also warned that it could expand restrictions on trade routes in the Gulf, the Sea of Oman, and the Red Sea if pressure from the United States continues. Such a move could further impact global shipping and energy flows, increasing pressure on already unstable markets.
On the diplomatic front, nuclear talks remain one of the most difficult issues in the negotiations. The United States has reportedly proposed a long-term suspension of Iran’s nuclear program, while Iran has suggested a shorter pause in exchange for lifting economic sanctions.
Both sides remain divided over key issues, including uranium enrichment levels, international inspections, and the future structure of any nuclear agreement. Despite these disagreements, some officials believe that back-channel communication is slowly narrowing the gap between the two sides.
The diplomatic process also involves several regional actors, including Gulf states and European partners, who are concerned about the broader impact of continued conflict. Finance ministers from multiple countries have warned that even if the war ends soon, the economic consequences will continue to affect global markets.
Meanwhile, Israel’s military actions in the region and its tensions with Iran-backed groups in Lebanon have added further complexity to the situation. Some officials believe that any long-term peace deal will need to address these wider regional conflicts as well.
Despite ongoing challenges, Trump’s comments suggesting that the war is nearing an end have contributed to cautious optimism in financial markets. However, analysts warn that the situation remains highly unpredictable, and any breakdown in talks could quickly reverse recent progress.
For now, attention remains focused on the mediation efforts in Tehran and whether the latest diplomatic push can turn tentative discussions into a lasting agreement.
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