Trump threatens Iran with "higher level" strikes if it won't accept a peace deal, but says it's too soon for direct talks after reporting diplomatic progress.

P resident Trump really, really wants the war with Iran to end. He has declared victory many times, including about three weeks ago, when Iran briefly reopened the Strait of Hormuz. He has repeatedly extended his cease-fire deadlines instead of following through on his (sometimes-apocalyptic) threats to resume hostilities.

However, Donald Trump that if Iran doesn't agree, then the bombing will begin again, and this time, "at a much higher level and intensity" than before.

As President Trump again voiced optimism that Iran will "make a deal" to end the war, Tehran declared itself the regulator of Strait of Hormuz shipping.

US President Donald Trump says he views the Iran war as "very close to over" in his latest comments amid a fragile ceasefire between the two countries.

By Isla Binnie NEW YORK, April 15 (Reuters) - Wall Street's stock benchmark S&P 500 touched an intraday record high as hopes for a cooling of U.S.-Iran tensions and strong earnings expectations boosted risk appetite on Wednesday,

Trump said talks were moving forward, although Iran dismissed suggestions that a deal was imminent, stating it had not yet submitted its reply to Pakistani intermediaries.

US-Iran war LIVE updates: Tehran has not yet responded to a US proposal aimed at extending a fragile truce and starting peace talks, leaving Donald Trump waiting for an answer. Britain is deploying the Royal Navy destroyer HMS Dragon to the Gulf as part of efforts around Hormuz.