Trump Says He Hopes War Is Nearing Its End, Claims Iran Made Direct Contact

US President Donald Trump told reporters on the evening of Wednesday, September 16, 2026, local time, when asked about the current state of the war against Iran, that he hopes the war is nearing its end, and claimed Iranians had made direct contact with US officials. According to Khabaronline, citing IRNA, Trump said in a separate speech in North Carolina that the situation would end shortly after the US midterm congressional elections, or perhaps sooner, adding that fuel prices would fall once the conflict ends.

US Vice President JD Vance, in an interview published Tuesday, September 15, 2026, claimed the tensions would enter a completely different phase within a few months and said the Strait of Hormuz had returned to more than half its normal traffic level. These claims, made unilaterally by US officials, have not been confirmed by Iran.