Trump Says US Nears End of Iran War Doomsday Clock After Direct Talks
US President Donald Trump stated that the United States is “hopefully toward the end” of its war with Iran and that he has spoken directly with Tehran amid the doomsday clock. [4] Iran's national security chief Mohsen Rezaei said the US must take practical steps to earn Tehran’s confidence, as Iran harbours zero trust in Washington. [1]
Trump's Statement on Ending the Iran War Doomsday Clock
US President Donald Trump claimed to media that the US is “hopefully toward the end” of its war with Iran and notes that he has spoken with them "directly". [1] He also repeated his claim that Iran “really wants” an agreement. [2] Trump said on Wednesday that "hopefully we are towards the end of the war." [3] He also repeated his claim that Iran wants to reach a deal, saying the US had heard this directly from Tehran. [3]
Iran's Demand for Practical US Steps
Iran's national security chief Mohsen Rezaei says the US must take practical steps to earn Tehran’s confidence, stressing that the country harbours zero trust in Washington. [1] UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urges de-escalation and diplomacy in the Middle East as fighting intensifies in Yemen and between the Houthi group and Saudi Arabia. [4]
Planned Talks with Gulf Leaders
US President Donald Trump is expected to meet leaders and foreign ministers from Gulf Cooperation Council countries in New York next week to discuss the next steps in the war with Iran and postwar strategy. [2] The meeting could also be expanded to include other Arab and Muslim leaders. [3] The US state department sent out initial invitations on Wednesday, the report said. [3] The meeting is expected to focus on US plans for the postwar period, three sources with direct knowledge told Axios. [3] The meeting is likely to bring together representatives from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait and Oman on the sidelines of the UN general assembly. [3] Trump and his senior team are working on a plan for what happens after the war. [3] According to the report, the postwar strategy is expected to be finalised after the US midterm elections. [3]
Background on the Israel-Iran War
Israel and the US launched Operations Roaring Lion and Epic Fury on February 28, with the stated aim of creating conditions for regime change. [2] Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed by an Israeli strike on a Tehran bunker. [2] Iran’s defense minister and several IRGC generals were also killed in the largest-ever aerial attack by the IAF. [2] Iran retaliated by firing across the Middle East at Gulf nations and US military bases in the region. [2] Thirty-nine IDF soldiers and 23 civilians have been killed, and at least 7,693 more injured in ballistic missile attacks across Israel since February 28. [2] Eighteen US soldiers were killed, CENTCOM says. [2] A ceasefire deal was announced on April 7 and went into effect on April 8. [2]
Ongoing Regional Conflicts
Israeli military chief Eyal Zamir says Israeli forces will continue operating deep inside Lebanon despite any ceasefire agreements. [1] The war in Yemen continues as Houthi advances are unaffected by the Saudi-led coalition airstrikes. [1] Israeli attacks continue on Gaza, occupied West Bank, and southern Syria. [1] Saudi Arabia strikes Al-Barh bridge in Yemen twice in 2 days as conflict with Houthis escalates. [2] Saudi planes have carried out 40 airstrikes across Yemen in the last 24 hours, Iranian state media IRIB added. [2] IDF strikes southern Lebanon after warning northern Israeli residents about explosions. [2]
Economic and Humanitarian Impact
Number of ships transiting Strait of Hormuz falls to three on Wednesday, data shows. [2] Afghans flee collapsing Iranian economy amid US conflict, returning to strict Taliban rule. [2] Only 29% of Afghans who recently returned from Iran said they had any savings left after their average income fell by nearly one-third compared to pre-crisis levels. [2]
What to watch next: Trump is expected to meet Gulf leaders for Iran war talks next week, with the meeting possibly expanded to include other Arab and Muslim leaders, while the postwar strategy is expected to be finalised after the US midterm elections.
