Trump confirms Houthi talks, says Iran war will end soon

US President Donald Trump has confirmed that talks are taking place with the Houthis, while saying he believes the war involving Iran will end soon. Trump also said Americans would have to bear some of the burden of preventing Tehran from obtaining a nuclear weapon, but predicted petrol prices would fall once the fighting ends. Trump said the United States is engaged in talks with the Houthis and expressed a desire to determine whether an agreement can be reached. His comments come amid continued regional tensions involving Iran and the Iran-aligned Houthi movement in Yemen, as Washington seeks an end to the wider conflict. Iran war will end soon Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump said the United States was winning the war against Iran 'very handily' and predicted that the conflict would end soon. His comments came a day after he said he was considering whether to 'annihilate' Iran, underscoring the uncertainty surrounding Washington's next steps in the conflict. Trump also argued that the increase in oil prices was a sacrifice worth making to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. Petrol prices expected to fall after war Trump said Americans would have to accept higher energy costs as part of the effort to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. 'I think most people, if they had a vote on lower gas prices or letting Iran have a nuclear weapon, I'd be willing to vote that it'd be a massive landslide – people don't want Iran to have a nuclear weapon,' Trump said. He added that petrol prices would return to pre-conflict levels, and potentially fall even further, once the war ends. 'And you know what, they won't,' Trump said while discussing the prospect of Iran obtaining a nuclear weapon. Trump has described preventing Iran from developing a nuclear weapon as a major achievement of the US campaign. Trump signs Russia-Iran sanctions law Separately, Trump signed the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 into law on Friday, expanding Washington's ability to impose economic pressure on both countries. The White House confirmed the legislation was signed on September 18. The law targets Russia's energy and defence sectors and its so-called shadow fleet of tankers used to evade sanctions, while also extending existing sanctions measures against Iran. The legislation, named after the late Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, passed the House of Representatives on Wednesday after clearing the Senate last month. The law also gives the US president expanded authority to impose tariffs on major buyers of Russian energy, with the legislation allowing tariffs of up to 100% in certain circumstances. Trump's latest comments come as the Iran conflict continues to affect global energy markets. Oil prices have remained elevated amid disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz and renewed attacks in the wider region.