Donald Trump says the U.S.-Iran war is "very close" to an end amid a two-week ceasefire, as U.S. and Iranian negotiators prepare to restart peace talks Thursday.

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,

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.

The President provided a number of details about talks with Iran, including a possible deal ahead of King Charles III visiting the White House at the end of April

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a “60 Minutes” interview airing Sunday that President Donald Trump wanted to remove Iran’s stockpile of enriched uranium. The United States and Israel launched military strikes against Iran on Feb.

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.