Trump Hints at War’s End as Middle East Conflict Spreads to Yemen

U.S. President Donald Trump indicated on Wednesday that America may be approaching a conclusion to its nearly seven-month conflict with Iran, noting signs that Tehran is open to negotiations. However, the broader Middle East crisis is escalating in Yemen, where Iran-backed Houthi forces have intensified attacks against Saudi Arabia and are attempting to seize control of the strategic Bab el-Mandeb Strait.

Speaking to reporters in North Carolina, Trump said, “Well, hopefully we are toward the end of the war. They want to make a deal, we’ll see how that works out.” He further revealed that he had held direct communications with Iranian officials, though he declined to elaborate on the specifics of those discussions.

The conflict, which began on February 28, is causing significant disruption to energy exports and rattling global oil markets. The Houthis have launched a rapid ground offensive aimed at dominating the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a critical choke point linking the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden and international shipping lanes. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia is rushing to repair a vital crude pipeline damaged during the ongoing hostilities.

Despite these developments, efforts to revive ceasefire talks appear to have stalled. In response, Trump plans to convene with leaders from the six Gulf Cooperation Council members — Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Oman — on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly next Tuesday in New York. According to Axios, initial invitations were sent by the State Department on Wednesday, with the guest list potentially expanding to include other Arab and Muslim leaders.