President Trump on Iran war: ‘I view it as very close to over’
The war with Iran, Operation Epic Fury launched just weeks ago with the goal of making sure the rogue Islamic regime there no longer could threaten the world with plans for nuclear missiles, is just about over, says President Donald Trump.
In an interview with Maria Bartiromo of Fox News, he said preventing Iran, declared the world’s top sponsor of terrorism around the globe, from obtaining nuclear weaponry was essential.
“I had to divert because if I didn’t do that, right now, you would have Iran with a nuclear weapon. And if they had a nuclear weapon, you would be calling everybody over there, sir. And you don’t want to do that.”
Asked about the war specifically, he said, “I think it’s close to over. Yeah. I mean, I view it as very close to over. You know what? If I pulled up stakes right now, it would take them 20 years to rebuild that country. And we’re not finished. We’ll see what happens. I think they want to make a deal very badly.”
U.S. President Donald J. Trump spoke about ending the Iran War in a currently unreleased interview filmed Tuesday with Fox News.
Trump: “I had to divert because if I didn’t do that, right now, you would have Iran with a nuclear weapon. And if they had a nuclear weapon, you would… pic.twitter.com/HkN2Slsxlz
— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) April 15, 2026
JUST IN: President Trump tells Maria Bartiromo that an end to the conflict in Iran could come very soon.
“If they’re going to have a nuclear weapon, we’ll be living with them for a little while. But I don’t know how much longer they can survive.” pic.twitter.com/GncqjmFQup
— Fox News (@FoxNews) April 15, 2026
A report in the Washington Examiner said Trump made similar comments in an interview with the New York Post.
He said the reporter should stick around Islamabad for now, because “something could be happening over the next two days.”
U.S. Central Commander Adm. Brad Cooper has confirmed the U.S. blockade of Iranian ports has “completely halted economic trade going in and out of Iran by sea.”
He posted online, “A blockade of Iranian ports has been fully implemented as U.S. forces maintain maritime superiority in the Middle East.”
Negotiations have been taking place and Vice President J.D. Vance, who is predicted to lead the next round of talks, said, “Look, honestly, after 49 years, there’s a lot of, of course, mistrust between Iran and the United States of America. You’re not going to solve that problem overnight. But yes, I think the people sitting across from us wanted to make a deal.”
Trump also pointed out that China was pleased with his decision to permanently open the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran had claimed to close down.
“China is very happy that I am permanently opening the Strait of Hormuz. I am doing it for them, also – And the World. This situation will never happen again. They have agreed not to send weapons to Iran…” – President Donald J. Trump pic.twitter.com/g2LbmMJS5a
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) April 15, 2026
“China is very happy that I am permanently opening the Strait of Hormuz. I am doing it for them, also – And the World. This situation will never happen again. They have agreed not to send weapons to Iran. President Xi will give me a big, fat, hug when I get there in a few weeks. 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 said.
He also said he wrote to China asking that it not supply Iran with weapons, and China’s president responded, “saying essentially he’s not doing that.”