Trump says the U.S. may be nearing the end of the Iran war

U.S. President Donald Trump said the country may be approaching the end of its nearly sevenmonth war with Iran, saying Tehran appears interested in reaching a deal. He made the comments in North Carolina on Wednesday evening and said he had spoken directly with Iranian officials, though he did not give details. The conflict has widened into Yemen, where Iranbacked Houthi forces have stepped up attacks on Saudi Arabia and pushed to control the Bab elMandeb Strait, a key shipping route between the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. The fighting has increased pressure on Gulf security and raised concerns about disruptions to energy exports. Trump is expected to meet Gulf leaders on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York next week to discuss the war and possible next steps. The article also says Saudi Arabia has been working to restore oil transport after damage to its EastWest Pipeline, while crude prices eased on reports of extra shipments through Oman’s Sohar port.