US-Iran talks leave Hormuz reopening tied to concessions
Mediators are to continue their work after hours of talks in New York, as Tehran links further progress to changes in US policy.
The United States and Iran held hours of talks through mediators on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York on Tuesday. The exchanges focused on ending the war and reopening the Strait of Hormuz, but accounts differed over whether officials met directly.
US envoy Steve Witkoff said mediators shuttled between the delegations and would continue their work. President Donald Trump described a reported three-hour meeting involving Witkoff, Jared Kushner and Iranian officials as productive. The White House clarified that Trump did not attend; Iranian state media said Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met Witkoff.
Iran has linked further diplomatic progress and reopening the strait to lifting the US naval blockade, releasing frozen Iranian assets and ending the war. An Iranian official told Reuters that Tehran submitted a proposal through mediators on 16 September and could reopen Hormuz within seven days if US military pressure eased and the blockade of Iranian ports was lifted. These terms and the timeframe were reported by Iranian sources; no reopening or agreement was confirmed.
Qatar said it was working with Pakistan to reduce tensions and safeguard freedom of navigation. Qatar’s prime minister also met Araghchi in New York, while Oman has previously discussed maritime arrangements with Tehran.
The talks followed Trump’s warning at the UN that he faced a choice between an agreement and military escalation. Iran’s armed forces issued a warning in response. The competing statements underline the gap between continued diplomatic contact and any settled terms.
