Top Iranian and US officials met at the United Nations in New York on a day when the US president warned he could “annihilate” Iran if the dispute remains unsettled.
The Qatar‑mediated encounter, which brought together Iran’s foreign minister and Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff, yielded no reported breakthrough and marked the first such meeting since the June cease‑fire collapsed.
Witkoff noted that a round of talks had concluded, saying he hoped it would be “constructive and promising,” while Iran reiterated its call for the United States to halt its “acts of aggression.”
On 28 February, the United States and Israel carried out air strikes against Iran. Iran retaliated by striking Israel, US installations in the Gulf, and allied Arab Gulf states, and also moved to block the Strait of Hormuz.
Prior to the conflict, roughly one‑fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments transited the strait; its closure has triggered sharp price swings.
The situation has intensified pressure on Trump to resolve the conflict, especially with the November congressional elections approaching.
Speaking at the UN General Assembly in New York on Tuesday, Trump opened by highlighting his record on the economy, immigration, border security and violent‑crime reduction—comments that seemed aimed more at mid‑term voters than at the assembled diplomats.
He devoted much of his speech to defending the confrontation with Iran, a stark contrast to the earlier remarks of UN Secretary‑General António Guterres, who warned that global divisions are widening and stressed the interdependence of nations.
The president contended that the standoff had kept Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon and illustrated the merit of his “peace through strength” approach—relying on ultimatums rather than negotiation or compromise.
“Will we reach an agreement with Iran that enables it to rebuild and become a far stronger nation than it has ever been?” he asked.
“Or should I obliterate the Islamic Republic swiftly, denying it any further opportunity to harm people and nations? Should I push it into hell?” he added.
Trump said he expects a deal with Iran to emerge shortly after the November elections, noting that such an agreement has so far remained out of reach.
These comments exemplify his foreign‑policy tactic of coercive diplomacy—brandishing overwhelming force while leaving the door open for talks.
Later, Trump informed reporters that U.S. officials had engaged in a “very productive” three‑hour meeting with the Iranian delegation on the sidelines of the General Assembly.
Iranian state television confirmed that Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi had met with Witkoff.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei, citing the state broadcaster IRNA, said the talks were conducted via a Qatari intermediary who conveyed Tehran’s conditions—namely, an end to hostilities on all fronts and a cessation of U.S. “acts of aggression.”
As Witkoff departed the UN building, the BBC inquired about the outcome of the meetings; he replied with a thumbs‑up. He later posted on X that the discussions had taken place “through the mediators, who shuttled between the two sides all day.”
“They successfully concluded a round of talks that we hope will be constructive and promising,” Witkoff said, adding that the mediators would continue their efforts.
Since the cease‑fire broke down, the two sides have intermittently exchanged fire.
Iran has targeted vessels it claims attempted to transit the Strait of Hormuz without authorization.
The United States has struck Iranian facilities within the strait and also hit Iranian tankers off the country’s coast.
The United States has also maintained a blockade of Iranian ports, severely disrupting Iran’s economy.
To pressure Tehran into agreeing to a deal that would end the conflict, President Trump has threatened sanctions against any nation that continues to trade with Iran. So far, Iran shows no sign of shifting its stance, insisting that the United States and Israel halt their war—including operations against the Iran‑backed Shia group Hezbollah in Lebanon, which Israel has been targeting.
Yemen’s Houthis, also allied with Iran, have recently intensified attacks aimed at disrupting oil shipments from Saudi Arabia, prompting an escalation of the conflict with the kingdom.
