President Donald Trump signaled that the war with Iran will end soon but cautioned that American military pressure would continue until a deal is reached. Meanwhile, Iran is reportedly threatening to block all commercial shipping through the Persian Gulf, the Sea of Oman, and the Red Sea if the U.S. continues its naval blockade of Iranian ports in the Strait of Hormuz, and Israel is continuing its campaign against Iran-backed Hezbollah targets in Lebanon.
Trump says Iran war is ‘very close to being over’
In an interview with FOX Business anchor Maria Bartiromo that aired April 15, Trump said the war with Iran is “very close to being over.” At the same time, he signaled that the U.S. military campaign is incomplete.
“If I pulled up stakes right now, it would take them 20 years to rebuild that country. And we’re not finished,” he said. “We’ll see what happens. I think they want to make a deal very badly.”
White House says Iran talks are ongoing
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said during a press briefing April 15 that discussions with Iran are “productive and ongoing” and “we feel good about the prospects of a deal.”
Discussions about further in-person talks “are being had, but nothing is official until you hear it from us here at the White House,” she added. According to Leavitt, any in-person talks would likely take place in Islamabad, Pakistan’s capital, where U.S. and Iranian negotiators met April 10-11.
“The Pakistanis have been incredible mediators throughout this process, and we really appreciate their friendship and their efforts to bring this deal to a close, so they are the only mediator in this negotiation,” she said.
Trump says China is ‘very happy’ about his Hormuz plans
Trump said in an April 15 Truth Social post that Chinese leader Xi Jinping is “very happy” with his efforts to “permanently” reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow waterway through which roughly a fifth of the world's oil supply passes. Trump had ordered a blockade of the strait April 11 after Iran reportedly sought to impose transit fees on vessels attempting to pass.
Trump’s post came one day after Chinese Foreign Affairs Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun told reporters that the U.S. blockade is “dangerous and irresponsible” and warned “such actions will only intensify contradictions, exacerbate tensions, undermine the already fragile ceasefire, and further jeopardize the security of navigation through the strait.”
Trump also said in his post that China has agreed not to send weapons to Iran after reports surfaced that Beijing may be considering sending air defense systems to Tehran.
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) April 15, 2026
“President Xi will give me a big, fat, hug when I get there in a few weeks,” Trump added. “We are working together smartly, and very well! Doesn’t that beat fighting??? BUT REMEMBER, we are very good at fighting, if we have to — far better than anyone else!!!”
Trump and Xi are scheduled to meet in Beijing May 14-15.
According to the New York Post, recent reports have suggested U.S. intelligence officials believe China has been preparing to supply Iran with MANPADS, portable anti-air missile systems, to help bolster Tehran’s defenses against potential U.S. strikes.
In the interview with Bartiromo that aired April 15, Trump said he and Xi discussed whether China would send Iran weapons through exchanged letters.
“I wrote him a letter asking him [Xi] not to do that [send Iran weapons], and he wrote me a letter saying that essentially he’s not doing that,” he said, adding at another point, “Look, there’s never been anybody tougher in China than me. But I also have a good relationship with President Xi, and that’s a good thing.”
Iran threatens to block shipping in Red Sea, Gulf if US blockade continues
Iranian military official Maj. Gen. Ali Abdollahi warned in a statement circulated by the semi-official Mehr News Agency that Iran’s army could block marine traffic in the Persian Gulf, the Sea of Oman, and the Red Sea if the U.S. blockade on its ports in the Strait of Hormuz continues.
“If the aggressive and terrorist America continues its unlawful actions of maritime blockade in the region and creates insecurity for Iranian commercial ships and oil tankers, this action will be considered a prelude to violating the ceasefire, and the powerful Armed Forces of Iran will not allow any kind of export and import to continue in the Persian Gulf, the Sea of Oman and the Red Sea,” the news agency quoted him as saying, according to NBC News. “Iran will act with full force to defend its national sovereignty and interests.”
Israeli military continues to strike Hezbollah targets in Lebanon
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in an April 15 video statement posted to X that military operations against Hezbollah in southern Lebanon are ongoing, warning that forces are moving to “overwhelm” the city of Bint Jbeil. According to an unofficial translation of the post’s accompanying caption, Netanyahu said he instructed the Israeli military “to continue thickening the security zone.”
As Zeale News previously reported, Israeli officials announced in March that Israel would create a “buffer zone” by occupying southern Lebanon up to the Litani River as part of its campaign against Iran-backed Hezbollah targets.
On Iran, Netanyahu said Israel remains aligned with the U.S. and is prepared “for any scenario” if the current two-week ceasefire collapses.
Also on April 15, the Israeli army issued new evacuation orders for Lebanese civilians south of the Zahrani River, which is north of the Litani River.
“Airstrikes are ongoing as the IDF is operating with considerable force in the area,” Avichay Adraee, the IDF Arabic-language spokesman, said in a post on X, adding that anyone “present near Hezbollah elements, their facilities, or their combat vehicles endangers their life.”
The United Nations has estimated that more than 1 million people in Lebanon have been displaced so far, warning in an April 14 statement that the humanitarian situation on the ground was “grave.”
Gas prices could fall to $3 a gallon by Sept. 20, Treasury secretary predicts
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told reporters during a White House press conference April 15 that he expects gas prices to fall to $3 a gallon by Sept. 20, depending on “how the negotiations go” with Iran.
“President Trump said this morning that he thinks we’re nearing the end,” Bessent said. “The U.S. kept their side on the ceasefire. We’ve stopped firing. The Strait of Hormuz has not been completely reopened. So we will see. And I’m optimistic that during the summer we will see gas with a three in front of it sooner rather than later.”
He added that he is “optimistic that sometime between June 20th and September 20th” the U.S. will have “$3 gas again.” According to AAA, the national average for a gallon of gas is more than $4.