Indirect talks at UNGA
The United States and Iran engaged in hours of mediated discussions on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff said mediators “shuttled between” the American and Iranian delegations throughout the day, completing a round of talks that both sides hope will prove constructive. “Today, on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly, we engaged in lengthy talks with the Iranian delegation through the mediators, who shuttled between the two sides throughout the day,” Witkoff posted on X. “They successfully completed a round of discussions that we hope will prove constructive and promising. The mediators will continue their work.”
President Donald Trump provided a more direct account, stating that Witkoff and Jared Kushner held a three‑hour meeting with Iranian officials. “They had a very good meeting, a very productive meeting,” Trump told reporters at the UN, adding that he believed there was “a lot of momentum” toward an agreement. The White House later clarified that Trump did not attend and that Witkoff and Kushner represented the U.S. side.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi confirmed a meeting with Witkoff after weeks of no direct contact. Iranian state media reported that the talks were held at the American side’s request and were aimed at conveying Tehran’s conditions, particularly concerning the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. Those conditions include lifting the U.S. naval blockade, releasing frozen Iranian assets, and ending the war on what Tehran describes as the “resistance” fronts.
A senior Iranian official told Reuters that Tehran’s delegation in New York had full authority to pursue diplomacy, calling the UN gathering a “golden opportunity” for Washington to return to negotiations. Iran submitted its latest proposal through mediators on September 16 and indicated that a settlement could be discussed in New York. The official also said that Iran could reopen the strait within seven days if the United States eased military pressure and lifted its blockade of Iranian ports.
Regional diplomatic push
Gulf and other regional states have joined the indirect talks in a broader de‑escalation effort. Qatar announced it is working with Pakistan to reduce tensions between Washington and Tehran, safeguard freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, and promote regional stability. Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, met with Araghchi in New York to discuss regional developments, de‑escalation, and conditions for dialogue.
Oman has also been involved in maritime diplomacy, previously discussing arrangements with Tehran to facilitate navigation through the strait. Trump held separate meetings with leaders and senior officials from Gulf Cooperation Council states, Turkiye, Jordan, Syria, and Iraq on Tuesday to address Iran and regional security. Reuters reported that a Qatari proposal for a common security framework involving Iran and Gulf states is under consideration, with Tehran reportedly reviewing the plan.
Trump’s warning and Iranian response
The indirect talks followed Trump’s UNGA address, where he warned of military escalation and presented a “big decision” between a diplomatic deal that would allow Iran to rebuild and a path to “annihilate the Islamic Republic.” Washington has previously offered Tehran “full economic cooperation” in exchange for ending its nuclear program and what the United States describes as support for terrorism.
Iran’s Armed Forces General Staff and Khatam al‑Anbiya Central Headquarters responded in a statement carried by Iranian media, calling Trump’s threats a sign of “strategic weakness” and vowing that Iran was prepared to deliver “more severe, crushing, and unpredictable blows” if further attacks occurred.
U.S. officials have indicated progress after the collapse of a June memorandum of understanding. Trump said earlier in August that the sides had reached parameters for a possible agreement and later described talks over the strait as “moving along nicely,” though significant differences remain. He reiterated this month that he hoped the war was “towards the end.”