US President Donald Trump tempered expectations of a Middle East deal by saying he had told his negotiators not to "rush", hours after his top diplomat said the US and Iran could strike a bargain to end the regional war as early as Sunday.Washington and Tehran have observed a ceasefire since April 8 while mediators push for a negotiated settlement, although Iran has imposed controls on Gulf shipping and the US has blockaded Iran's ports.

Talks between the US and Iran near a critical point, with hopes rising for a deal to ease tensions in the Middle East.

President Donald Trump said Sunday that he had told US negotiators "not to rush into a deal" with Iran, amid anticipation -- and mounting criticism -- of an agreement to end the…