Trump says war is nearing end and stocks are poised to surge

War between the United States and Iran is nearing its end, President Donald Trump said on April 15, 2026, adding that Tehran is eager to reach a peace agreement with Washington. In remarks to Fox Business, Trump said the conflict is “very close to ending” and suggested that rebuilding would take Iran “20 years.”

Trump also played down global market volatility since the war began and said oil prices would soon fall. He reiterated the rationale for US military action, saying Iran must be prevented from possessing nuclear weapons, and forecast that once the war ends, “the stock market will explode,” noting that “the market is already exploding.”

Markets watch for diplomacy as talks stall

The comments came as markets remained hopeful for a diplomatic solution to the Gulf conflict after peace talks in Islamabad last week failed.

In a separate interview with the New York Post on April 14, Trump said US-Iran peace talks could resume in Pakistan within the next two days. Earlier that day, a White House official told CNBC that plans for a second round of talks between the US and Iran were under discussion.

Oil prices steady in Asia trading

Global oil prices were steady during Asia trading on April 15. Brent was around $95 per barrel and WTI around $91 per barrel, with little change from the previous close.

Ceasefire expiry and Hormuz blockade

A two-week ceasefire between the US and Iran will expire next week. The US has deployed a blockade of the Hormuz Strait, preventing ships from entering or leaving Iran via the route. On April 14, CENTCOM said the Hormuz blockade had been fully implemented, effectively cutting off Iran’s sea-borne trade.

CENTCOM Commander Brad Cooper said the blockade was achieved in less than 36 hours after an order from President Trump, emphasizing full execution and US naval superiority in the Middle East.

Economic impact estimates and shipping data

According to Miad Maleki, a senior analyst at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies in Washington, more than 90% of Iran’s roughly $110 billion annual seaborne trade passes through Hormuz. Maleki said Iran lacks alternative routes to replace it, estimating that the blockade would cause Iran about $435 million in economic damage per day.

US officials said that in the first 24 hours of the blockade, no vessels passed through Hormuz, and that six ships were asked to return to Iranian ports from which they had originated.

Windward data, however, indicated that at least two ships did pass through Hormuz on the first day of the blockade, including a Chinese-owned oil tanker. Windward also said traffic through Hormuz remained highly limited.