The United States and Iran participated in indirect negotiations mediated by third parties during the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York. US special envoy Steve Witkoff reported that mediators facilitated discussions between the American and Iranian delegations throughout the day. Witkoff stated, "Today, on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly, we engaged in lengthy talks with the Iranian delegation through the mediators, who shuttled between the two sides throughout the day."
US President Donald Trump provided a different account, indicating that Witkoff and Jared Kushner had a three-hour meeting with Iranian officials, describing it as a "very good meeting" that showed "a lot of momentum" towards an agreement. However, Al Jazeera’s Kimberly Halkett noted that Trump's comments led to confusion about the participants, and the White House later clarified that Trump did not attend the meeting.
In Tehran, state media confirmed a meeting between Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Witkoff, stating that it was initiated by the US side to communicate Iran’s conditions, particularly regarding the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian media reported that these conditions included lifting the US naval blockade, releasing frozen Iranian assets, and ending conflicts on what Iran refers to as the "resistance" fronts.
An Iranian security source indicated to Al Jazeera that further diplomatic engagement could occur if the US met Iran’s conditions. A senior Iranian official mentioned that Tehran's delegation had full authority to pursue diplomacy and viewed the UN gathering as a significant opportunity for negotiations.
The official stated that Iran submitted a proposal to Washington through mediators on September 16, and discussions regarding a potential agreement to cease hostilities could take place in New York. Additionally, it was noted that Iran could reopen the Strait of Hormuz within seven days if the US eased military pressure and lifted its blockade.
The indirect talks are part of a broader diplomatic effort involving Gulf states and other regional actors. Qatar is collaborating with Pakistan to mitigate tensions between the US and Iran and ensure freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz. Qatar’s Prime Minister met with Araghchi in New York to discuss regional developments and de-escalation efforts. Oman has also been involved in maritime diplomacy related to the strait.
Trump met with leaders from Gulf Cooperation Council states, Turkiye, Jordan, Syria, and Iraq to discuss Iran and regional security. Reports indicate that a Qatari proposal for a common security framework involving Iran and Gulf states is under consideration.
During his UNGA address, Trump combined the prospect of an agreement with warnings of military escalation, stating he faced a "big decision" between allowing Iran to rebuild or taking military action against it. Iran's military leadership responded to Trump's threats, characterizing them as signs of "strategic weakness" and asserting readiness to respond to further attacks.
US officials have suggested that negotiations are progressing after the collapse of a June memorandum of understanding. Trump indicated that parameters for a potential agreement had been reached, although significant differences remain. He expressed hope that the conflict might be nearing an end, while Tehran continues to link the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz to the easing of US military pressure and the lifting of its blockade.