US optimistic of deal with Iran as it increases economic pressure

Follow our live coverage here. WASHINGTON/DUBAI – The Trump administration expressed optimism on April 15 about reaching a deal to end the war with Iran, while also warning of increasing economic pressure against Tehran if it remains defiant. US President Donald Trump has said he believes the war he launched with Israel in late February is nearly over, even as a shipping blockade he announced came into effect and traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remained well below normal levels. The US warned it could add secondary sanctions on buyers of Iranian oil in an apparent effort to gain leverage…