Arabic version: الولايات المتحدة وإيران تجريان محادثات بوساطة على هامش الجمعية العامة للأمم المتحدة

According to Al Jazeera, the United States and Iran held hours of mediated discussions on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, focused on ending the war and reopening the Strait of Hormuz. Accounts differed over whether the sides met directly.

US special envoy Steve Witkoff said mediators shuttled between the American and Iranian delegations throughout Tuesday and completed a round of talks he hoped would be constructive. President Donald Trump said Witkoff and Jared Kushner had a three-hour meeting with Iranian officials, while the White House later clarified that Trump had not attended.

Iranian state media confirmed a meeting between Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Witkoff, Al Jazeera reported. Tehran’s conditions included lifting the US naval blockade, releasing frozen Iranian assets and ending the war on what it calls the “resistance” fronts. An Iranian official told Reuters that Iran’s delegation had authority to pursue diplomacy and had sent its latest proposal through mediators on September 16.

Qatar said it was working with Pakistan to reduce tensions, protect freedom of navigation through Hormuz and promote regional stability. Qatar’s prime minister also met Araghchi, while Oman has been involved in maritime discussions with Tehran. Trump met Gulf Cooperation Council leaders and senior officials from Turkiye, Jordan, Syria and Iraq to discuss Iran and regional security.

The contacts followed Trump’s UNGA warning that he faced a choice between an agreement allowing Iran to rebuild and military escalation. Iranian military bodies responded that Tehran was prepared to answer further attacks. Iran has continued to link reopening Hormuz to reduced US military pressure and the lifting of the blockade on Iranian ports.