Trump: Iran Wants a Deal, Reached Out ‘Directly’ — ‘Hopefully’ Nearing End of War– www.breitbart.com

President Donald Trump said Wednesday that Iran has contacted the United States “directly” and “very much” wants a deal, expressing hope that the nearly seven-month conflict is approaching its end after predicting last week that the fighting would conclude following November’s midterm elections.

“Hopefully we’re toward the end of the war,” Trump told reporters after arriving in North Carolina, responding to a question about what phase the conflict had reached.

Trump then turned to the prospect of an agreement with Tehran.

“Iran is very much wanting to make a deal,” he said. “We’ll see how that works out.”

Asked moments later whether he had recently heard from Iran directly or through intermediaries, Trump replied: “Directly.”

The disclosure follows a series of increasingly explicit statements from Trump that the conflict could be approaching its end. Last week, he predicted the fighting would conclude following the November midterm elections, arguing that Tehran could no longer sustain the pressure.

“I think the war will end immediately after the election because they can’t hold out any longer,” Trump said.

By Monday, Trump was publicly describing Tehran as actively seeking an agreement while leaving the decision over renewed engagement to Washington.

“The failing Nation of Iran wants to make a deal, quickly and badly,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “I will determine whether or not the U.S.A. will choose to engage — the concept of which we are open to.”