U.S. President Donald Trump indicated that the ongoing military conflict between the United States and Iran may be approaching its final phase, revealing that Washington has received direct communication from Iranian leadership seeking a diplomatic resolution.

Speaking to reporters at the White House on Wednesday (September 16), President Trump remarked, "We are probably reaching the end of the war. They want to make a deal. Let's see what happens."

While President Trump confirmed receiving direct messages from Tehran, he declined to elaborate on the specific contents or transmission channels of the communication.

Gulf Diplomatic Summit Planned

According to reports by U.S. media outlet Axios citing senior administration officials, President Trump is scheduled to host a high-level summit next week with foreign ministers from six Persian Gulf nations: Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, and Oman.

The meeting will reportedly focus on Washington's post-conflict strategic blueprint and long-term security architecture for the Middle East following months of regional hostility. Official requests for comment regarding the upcoming summit were declined by both the White House and the U.S. Department of State.

Background and Conflict Trajectory

The current hostilities commenced on February 28, 2026, following joint U.S.-Israeli military strikes targeting strategic sites in Tehran. While primary Israeli air operations shifted focus toward military campaigns in Lebanon shortly thereafter, direct U.S.-Iran military exchanges have persisted into their seventh month.

• Failed Ceasefire Frameworks: Washington and Tehran negotiated temporary ceasefires on two separate occasions over the past seven months, both of which subsequently collapsed due to compliance disputes and renewed maritime frictions.

• Stalled Diplomacy: Formal diplomatic channels between the two nations had remained largely dormant in recent weeks prior to the latest signals from the White House.

Sources: Reuters, Axios