Washington- President Donald Trump has expressed confidence ahead of talks between the United States and Iran on a resolution to the conflict, expected to start Saturday in Islamabad, with Vice President J D Vance leading the US delegation.

“I wished him luck. He’s got a big thing,” Trump said in his parting message to Vance before he began his journey to lead the president’s delegation for the critical talks.

“We’ll find out what’s going on. They’re militarily defeated.”

Trump, who spoke to reporters before boarding Air Force One to head to a Friday evening fundraiser in Charlottesville, Virginia, also reiterated his confidence that the Strait of Hormuz will soon be opened up.

“And now we’re going to open up the Gulf with or without them,” Trump said, referring to the Iranians, who have effectively shuttered the critical waterway.

“But that’ll be open,” he said. (AP)