US and Iran to Hold Separate Talks With Qatari Mediators in New York
- Qatari mediators are likely to hold separate talks with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi and the US side in New York on Monday or Tuesday, according to an...
- Araqchi remained in New York after attending the General Assembly.
- The seven-day plan put forward by Tehran outlines specific conditions to halt hostilities.
Qatari mediators are likely to hold separate talks with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi and the US side in New York on Monday or Tuesday, according to an official briefed on the negotiations who spoke to Reuters on condition of anonymity, in a fresh push to end the war. The talks are expected to focus on an amended version of a seven-day proposal presented by Iran last week on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly.
Diplomatic Push in New York
Araqchi remained in New York after attending the General Assembly. Iran’s semi-official ISNA news agency confirmed that Araqchi would meet the mediators in the US on Monday morning, New York time, to “examine the latest proposals and views regarding the current situation”.
Esmaeil Baghaei, the spokesperson for the Iranian Foreign Ministry, informed state media later on Monday that Araqchi had not extended his visit to New York. Baghaei stated that the foreign minister would return to Tehran according to his original schedule, though he made no comment on the talks with mediators. It remains unclear who would represent the US side in the talks with mediators.
Terms of the Iranian Proposal
The seven-day plan put forward by Tehran outlines specific conditions to halt hostilities. As reported by Reuters, the proposal suggests a cessation of all hostilities in Lebanon and Iran, the release of Iranian assets worth billions of dollars, the termination of sanctions on Iranian oil, and the removal of the US blockade on ports in Iran.
As a trade-off, the Strait of Hormuz would be reopened by Tehran, and both parties would restart discussions regarding Iran’s nuclear programme. Araqchi noted on Sunday that mediators had not formally conveyed a US rejection to Tehran, adding that Iran was awaiting Washington’s definitive position before deciding its next steps.
Our conditions are clear, and any move toward reopening the Strait of Hormuz is contingent on these conditions being met,
Araqchi said on Sunday, adding that only a negotiated solution could resolve the impasse.
Washington Response and Outlook
On Saturday, US President Donald Trump announced that he had turned down the proposal from Iran, noting that Tehran’s desire for a quick deal was driven by the crippling economic pressure it is under. However, Trump told Axios on Sunday that he expected US negotiators to engage in further talks this week.