Donald Trump says Iran deal close despite Tehran denying talks to end war

President Donald Trump speaks at the National Republican Congressional Committee’s annual fundraising dinner (Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP)

US President Donald Trump said that a deal to end the Iran war is near, after Tehran dismissed his 15-point ceasefire plan and issued its own sweeping demands to stop fighting as it launched more attacks on Israel and Gulf Arab countries.

Two officials from Pakistan described the 15-point US proposal broadly, saying it included sanctions relief, a rollback of Iran’s nuclear programme, limits on missiles and reopening the Strait of Hormuz, through which a fifth of the world’s oil is normally shipped.