Kuala Lampur, April 18 --  

WASHINGTON, April 18 - Donald Trump told AFP yesterday that a peace deal was "very close" after Iran moved to reopen the Strait of Hormuz-but Tehran rejected the US president's claim that it was ready to surrender nuclear materials.

The upbeat signals from Washington came as a ceasefire took effect in Lebanon, but Iran's sharply different account of the talks suggested disagreements still stand in the way of an accord.

"We're very close. Looks like it's going to be very good for everybody. And we're very close to having a deal," Trump said in a brief telephone call with AFP from Las Vegas, adding that there were "no sticking points at all" left with Tehran.

"The strait's going to be open, they alr...