TRUMP SAYS IRAN NEGOTIATIONS ARE IN "FINAL STAGES," WARNS OF RENEWED MILITARY STRIKES IF DEAL FAILS

PRESIDENT TRUMP SAID ON WEDNESDAY THAT NEGOTIATIONS WITH IRAN TO END THE GULF WAR HAVE REACHED THE "FINAL STAGES," ISSUING A BLUNT WARNING THAT MILITARY STRIKES WOULD RESUME IF TEHRAN FAILED TO AGREE TO A DEAL; TRUMP MADE THE STATEMENT AMID INTENSE DOMESTIC PRESSURE TO RESOLVE THE CONFLICT AS SOARING ENERGY PRICES HURT HIS REPUBLICAN PARTY AHEAD OF NOVEMBER ELECTIONS; TRUMP PAUSED PLANNED STRIKES ON TUESDAY FOLLOWING PERSONAL REQUESTS FROM IRAN'S GULF NEIGHBORS, ACCORDING TO OFFICIALS; PAKISTAN'S INTERIOR MINISTER MOHSIN NAQVI ARRIVED IN TEHRAN ON WEDNESDAY CARRYING A FRESH U.S. PROPOSAL, WHILE SOUTH KOREA'S FOREIGN MINISTER SAID TANKER TRAFFIC THROUGH THE STRAIT OF HORMUZ HAD RESUMED IN COORDINATION WITH IRANIAN AUTHORITIES; IRAN'S REVOLUTIONARY GUARD RESPONDED BY THREATENING RETALIATION "BEYOND THE REGION" IF STRIKES RESUMED; TEHRAN'S LATEST PEACE OFFER LARGELY RESTATED DEMANDS PREVIOUSLY DISMISSED BY THE WHITE HOUSE AS "GARBAGE," ACCORDING TO REUTERS.