WASHINGTON, September 17. /TASS/. US President Donald Trump hopes that the conflict with Iran is nearing its end because, in his opinion, Tehran is seeking to strike a peace deal.

"We are hopefully moving toward the end of the war. They want to make a deal. We’ll see how that works," the US leader told reporters in North Carolina.

In his words, Iran "very much wanted to make a deal."

When asked whether the US was informed about this determination by the Iranian side via mediators or directly, Trump replied: "Yeah, directly."

The US and Israel began a war with Iran on February 28. In June, Washington and Tehran signed a memorandum of understanding providing for an immediate cessation of hostilities on all fronts, including in Lebanon. However, on the night of July 8, the US resumed large-scale strikes against Iran, accusing it of violating the terms of the agreements reached regarding the Strait of Hormuz, through which approximately 25% of global oil trade and about 20% of liquefied natural gas (LNG) trade pass. Subsequently, the US administration effectively signaled an end to the use of large-scale military force against Iran, shifting toward an attempt to economically strangle the country through sanctions.