US, Iran Hold Mediated Talks at UNGA
The United States and Iran have held hours of mediated talks on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, focusing on ending hostilities and potentially reopening the Strait of Hormuz. Accounts differed on whether the discussions included direct contact between US and Iranian officials.
US-Iran Talks Focus on Ending Hostilities
US special envoy Steve Witkoff said mediators moved between the American and Iranian delegations throughout Tuesday during lengthy discussions.
President Donald Trump described the talks as productive and said Witkoff and Jared Kushner had spent about three hours engaging with the Iranian side. Iranian reports also indicated contact involving Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, although details about the format of the meeting remained unclear.
Both sides indicated that diplomatic engagement would continue.
Iran Links Hormuz Reopening to US Concessions
Iran has tied the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz to several conditions, including easing US military pressure and lifting the blockade of Iranian ports.
Tehran has also sought access to frozen Iranian assets and broader steps towards ending regional hostilities.
An Iranian official indicated that the strait could potentially reopen within seven days if Washington meets key conditions.
Qatar and Pakistan Push for De-escalation
Qatar has been playing a major mediation role and is working with Pakistan to reduce tensions, restore freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz and create conditions for further negotiations.
Qatar’s Prime Minister also held separate talks with Araghchi in New York as regional governments intensified diplomatic efforts.
The discussions came hours after Trump used his UN General Assembly address to combine calls for an agreement with renewed warnings of military escalation if diplomacy fails.
