Trump signals Iran war end is near, plans to meet Gulf leaders

President Donald Trump said Thursday that the US is “hopefully” nearing the end of its nearly seven-month war with Iran, although negotiations appear to be stalled.

Trump claimed Tehran wants to make a deal and said he has heard from Iranian officials “directly.”

The remarks come amid growing Middle East instability as Iran-backed Houthis execute attacks in Saudi Arabia and have captured regions around the strategic Bab el-Mandeb Strait oil route.

The President is expected to meet leaders from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Oman at the UN General Assembly in New York next week. 

Despite Trump’s comment, analysts say a final plan is unlikely before the November midterm elections.