Corva Coleman

President Trump says he thinks the war with Iran could soon end.

His comments come as there are reports the U.S.

and Iran could hold a second round of peace talks.

This also comes as both the U.S.

and Iran have effectively blocked the Strait of Hormuz.

That cuts off a lot of crude oil supply to much of the world.

But since the two-week ceasefire began, prices have dropped back.

The cost of U.S.

West Texas Intermediate crude oil is now just above $92 a barrel.

Trump told Fox Business News journalist Maria Bartiromo he's surprised.

But a few days ago, speaking to the same Fox Business News journalist, Trump said he thought oil and gas prices were going to go higher before the midterm elections.

It's tax day, and many Americans are getting larger refunds this year.

But in many cases, those refunds are getting eaten up by higher gas prices.

As NPR's Stephen Bisaha reports, the average gallon of regular gas in the U.S.

now costs $4.11.

The State Department says there will be more diplomatic meetings between Israel and Lebanon in coming weeks after those two countries held their first direct talks in decades.

But even as the talks were happening, Hezbollah and the Israeli military continued fighting.

NPR's Kat Lonsdorf has more from Beirut.

You're listening to NPR News from Washington.

This is the third anniversary of the civil war in Sudan.