Trump says war on Iran 'very close to over'

This live blog follows updates for Day 47 of the US-Israeli war on Iran. For a recap of Day 46, go here.

• US-Israel Iran war continues amid ceasefire, ongoing diplomatic efforts
• Trump says the second round of peace talks in Pakistan could happen 
• Israel,  Lebanon move toward direct talks seeking ceasefire, stability
• Strait of Hormuz tensions disrupt oil flow despite partial crossings and talks
• Global markets rise cautiously on hopes of conflict de-escalation and agreement

Iran must commit to 'no nuclear weapon'

Published: April 15, 2026 | 02:43 GMT | By Web Desk

US Vice President JD Vance said Trump told Iran that the United States would "make Iran thrive" if it committed to "not having a nuclear weapon".

At the heart of any renewed US-Iran diplomacy is the dispute over Tehran's nuclear programme, with Trump launching the war under the pretext that the Islamic Republic was developing an atomic bomb — which it denies.

"That's the kind of Trumpian grand bargain that the president has put on the table. Man, we're going to keep on negotiating and try to make it happen," Vance told an event in the US state of Georgia hosted by the conservative group Turning Point USA.

Vance says talks made a ‘ton of progress’ in Pakistan 

Published: April 15, 2026 | 01:46 GMT | By Web Desk

US Vice President JD Vance has said that the negotiations in Pakistan made a "ton of progress," adding that President Donald Trump did not want a small deal; he was looking for a “grand bargain.”

“He [Trump] said that if you're [Iran] willing to act like a normal country, we are willing to treat you economically like a normal country,” Vance said.

Canada, Australia, UK and others call for ‘urgent end to hostilities in Lebanon’

Published: April 15, 2026 | 01:25 GMT | By Web Desk

Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, Japan, Brazil, Colombia, Indonesia, Jordan, Sierra Leone, and Switzerland have issued a joint statement, expressing deep concern about “the worsening humanitarian situation and displacement crisis in Lebanon,” Al Jazeera reported.

The countries welcoming the ceasefire between the US, Israel, and Iran, and countries called for “an urgent end to hostilities in Lebanon,” too.

“Civilians and civilian infrastructure must be protected from the effects of hostilities. Humanitarian personnel, who dedicate themselves to protecting and assisting the most vulnerable, must be respected and protected,” the statement said

“Attacks that threaten the safety and security of humanitarian personnel must stop. International humanitarian law must be upheld by all parties to the conflict in all circumstances,” it added.

The countries also condemned “in the strongest terms actions that have killed UN peacekeepers and significantly increased the risks faced by humanitarian personnel in southern Lebanon.”

Trump says war on Iran 'very close to over'  

Published: April 15, 2026 | 0:44 GMT | By Web Desk

US President Donald Trump has said that in his view, the US-Israel war on Iran was “very close to over.” 

In response to a question as to why he was referring to the war on Iran in the past tense, the US president said: “I think it’s close to over .” 

“I mean, I view it as very close to over,” Trump said. 

While speaking to Fox News, the US president said that if he were to raise the “stakes” in the war, it would take Iran 20 years to rebuild their country. 

“I think they want to make a deal very badly,” he said.

Rubio meets Egyptian foreign minister, discusses Iran ceasefire

Published: April 15, 2026 | 00:58GMT | By Web Desk

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty, Al Jazeera reported.

A spokesperson for Rubio said the leaders “discussed the ceasefire with Iran and the importance of securing long-term peace in the Middle East.”

The statement further noted that Rubio “also discussed joint efforts to disarm Hamas, in line with the President’s 20-Point Plan for Gaza, and explored ways to bolster the US-Egypt economic and commercial relationship."

Rubio also “stressed the importance of ongoing US and Egyptian efforts to achieve a humanitarian truce in Sudan,” the statement read.

Guterres expresses enormous admiration to Pakistan for peace 

Published: April 14, 2026 | 22:49GMT | By AFP

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed enormous admiration for Pakistan for the peace talks held in Islamabad last week. 

The UN official said that it was a very important initiative that Pakistan has assumed in order to bring peace to the Middle East.