President Donald Trump told reporters on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, that the United States is "hopefully toward the end" of its war with Iran. Speaking in North Carolina, Trump stated he has communicated with Tehran "directly" and claimed that Iranian officials are seeking a deal. He further noted that he expects gas and oil prices to "come down very quickly" once the conflict concludes.
These remarks come amid ongoing maritime tensions and legislative action in Washington. On Wednesday, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 in a 262-159 vote. The bill, which passed the Senate last month with an 86-11 vote, extends the Iran Sanctions Act of 1996 for an additional five years. The 1996 law was originally scheduled to expire in 2026. The legislation now moves to the president’s desk to be signed into law.
Iranian officials have disputed the U.S. president's characterization of potential peace talks. Brig. Gen. Abolfazl Shekarchi, a spokesperson for the Iranian armed forces, told domestic media that the military would defend Iran "until the last drop of blood." Iranian officials stated earlier on Wednesday that negotiations would not resume until their specific conditions are met. Meanwhile, China has urged Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and return to an interim peace deal established in June as disruption to energy supplies continues.
The extension of the Iran Sanctions Act affects international trade and diplomatic relations for the next five years. For U.S. businesses and international firms, this means a continued legal prohibition on certain types of investment and trade with Iran through at least 2031. The U.S. House vote of 262-159 included dozens of Democrats who joined the Republican majority to pass the bill.
What happens next depends on the presidential signature and the response from regional actors. With the House passage on Wednesday, the sanctions bill is expected to be signed by President Trump shortly. In the Middle East, the U.S. Central Command (Centcom) stated it will continue operations to keep the Strait of Hormuz open to commercial shipping. Meanwhile, South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun is scheduled to meet with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington to discuss a potential military deployment to the region, though no final decision has been made.