In a significant shift in rhetoric on April 15th, U.S. president Donald Trump claimed the conflict in Iran is nearing its conclusion.

Trump told Fox Business News of his confidence that Tehran is desperate for a resolution, asserting, “I view the war very close to over.”

This optimism comes as international mediators—led by Pakistan and the United Nations—scramble to extend a temporary ceasefire set to expire on April 22nd.

While the president hinted at a second round of high-level negotiations potentially taking place in Islamabad over the next 48 hours, the situation on the ground remains precarious.

Despite the two-week truce, the U.S. continues its naval blockade of Iranian ports, and Israel remains locked in a fierce “parallel war” against Hezbollah in Lebanon.However, global markets reacted with relief to Trump’s comments: oil prices dipped from their recent war-time highs, and Wall Street saw a notable uptick in hopes of a diplomatic breakthrough.