Trump Says US And Iran Held ‘Very Good’ Meeting At UN.
US President Donald Trump has said American officials held a “very good” three-hour meeting with an Iranian delegation on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
Trump made the comments after US and Iranian representatives held discussions on Tuesday as international efforts continued to explore a possible diplomatic route to ending the conflict. The meeting was later confirmed by Iranian state media, which reported that Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff in New York.
Although Trump described the meeting positively, Al Jazeera reported that there was no confirmed breakthrough. Discussions focused on possible conditions for ending the conflict, restarting negotiations and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, a strategically important shipping route. A further meeting is expected in the coming days.
Witkoff said the US had engaged in lengthy talks with the Iranian delegation through mediators who moved between the two sides during the day. He described the round of discussions as successfully completed and said he hoped it would prove constructive and promising.
The talks came after Trump addressed the UN General Assembly and warned that Iran faced a choice between reaching a deal and continued military confrontation. Reuters reported that Trump said he believed a settlement with Iran could eventually be reached, while also maintaining that Iran must not be allowed to obtain a nuclear weapon.
Iran has meanwhile indicated that it could reopen the Strait of Hormuz if the United States reduces military pressure and lifts its blockade on Iranian ports. A senior Iranian official told Reuters that Tehran's delegation in New York had authority to pursue diplomatic discussions and that an Iranian proposal had already been delivered to the US through mediators.
The Strait of Hormuz remains a major concern for regional governments and international markets because of its importance to global energy shipments. Al Jazeera reported that Gulf leaders have also been discussing regional security and shipping concerns with the United States during the UN meetings.
Despite the latest diplomatic contact, no agreement ending the conflict has been announced. The coming meetings are expected to determine whether the discussions can lead to formal negotiations and possible arrangements concerning the conflict, Iran's nuclear programme and navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.
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