New York: The United States and Iran held a three-hour meeting on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, US President Donald Trump said, describing the talks as “very good” and “very productive.” The meeting came shortly after Trump warned that he could “annihilate” the Islamic Republic if Washington and Tehran fail to reach an agreement to end the nearly seven-month-old war. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met US special envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner at the UN on Tuesday, according to the Associated Press.
Trump Says Talks Were ‘Very Good’
Speaking during a bilateral meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Trump said the talks lasted three hours and ended about an hour before his remarks. He said the meeting was productive and that another round of talks was expected “in the very near future.” Trump also indicated that he believed a deal could still be reached, contrasting a potential agreement with the alternative of further military escalation.
US Calls Discussions ‘Constructive and Promising’
Witkoff later confirmed that the US had held lengthy discussions with the Iranian delegation through mediators on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly. “Today, on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly, we engaged in lengthy talks with the Iranian delegation through the mediators,” Witkoff said, describing the discussions as “constructive and promising.” He added that the mediators would continue their efforts. Iranian state media also confirmed the meeting. According to state broadcaster IRIB, the talks took place at Witkoff’s request.
Iran Sets Conditions for Reopening Strait of Hormuz
Iran reiterated its conditions for reopening the strategically important Strait of Hormuz, according to reports. Tehran has demanded the immediate lifting of the naval blockade, the release of frozen Iranian assets and an end to the war on all fronts, including Lebanon. The Strait of Hormuz is a major global oil transit route, making developments surrounding the waterway significant for international energy supplies.
Trump Had Earlier Threatened Escalation
Before the talks, Trump used his UN General Assembly address to issue a strong warning to TehranHe said the US could either reach a deal that would allow Iran to rebuild or take military action against the Islamic Republic, using the term “annihilate” to describe the latter option. Trump also referred to US Navy efforts to escort oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz and claimed that oil flows through the waterway were higher than at any point since the start of the war. The latest meeting represents a fresh diplomatic engagement between Washington and Tehran as efforts continue to find a way to end the conflict.
