Iran’s Araghchi meets Qatari mediators as US calls for nuclear talks | US-Israel war on Iran News
Iran’s Foreign Minister in Talks with Qatari Mediators on Strait of Hormuz
NEW YORK — Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met with Qatari mediators in New York on Monday to discuss a proposal aimed at reopening the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz. Although the discussions were described as constructive, a U.S. official reiterated that there would be no agreement to end ongoing hostilities unless Iran’s nuclear program is addressed.
Araghchi indicated that the Qatari delegation would present their discussions to U.S. officials, expressing hope for a final response from Washington by Tuesday. “We talked about ideas and how to find solutions to fulfill Iran’s conditions,” he stated.
He further noted that he would not remain in New York for the U.S. response, planning to return to Tehran shortly. “Whenever the Qataris have a response, they know how to get it to us,” Araghchi said.
The meetings form part of ongoing conversations facilitated by Qatari and Pakistani intermediaries, which Araghchi claimed have grown more serious since Iran submitted its proposal. This plan, revealed at the United Nations General Assembly on Friday, calls for the U.S. to release frozen Iranian assets, lift sanctions, and end its naval blockade of Iranian ports. Araghchi asserted that these measures could be implemented in a matter of days, enabling the reopening of the strait and the commencement of negotiations concerning Iran’s nuclear program within a week.
However, U.S. President Donald Trump dismissed the proposal over the weekend, labeling it “unacceptable.”
The U.S. official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, characterized the indirect talks as “positive and constructive” but emphasized that an agreement hinges on addressing Iran’s nuclear ambitions. The official noted that while Iran has shown flexibility on nuclear issues, significant differences remain, particularly regarding the sequencing of commitments from both sides.
Skepticism was voiced about Iran’s reliability in negotiations, with the official citing allegations of escalated tensions, including attacks on commercial vessels. Tehran maintains that it is the U.S. that has violated commitments by failing to stop Israeli military actions in the region.
The Strait of Hormuz is a critical passageway, facilitating approximately 20 percent of global oil and gas shipments. Following U.S. and Israeli military offensives initiated on February 28, Iran restricted access to the strait, which has led to increased crude oil prices, surpassing $100 a barrel.
Notably, despite these disruptions, crude exports from major Middle Eastern producers rose in September, reaching 12.8 million barrels per day, the highest since the conflict began, according to maritime intelligence firm Kpler. This volume, however, remains significantly lower than the 18.8 million barrels per day recorded in February.
Some vessels have opted to utilize U.S. military-supervised routes along the coast of Oman, traveling at night with tracking systems turned off to offload oil outside the strait. U.S. Central Command reported facilitating 2,000 transit operations and overseeing the transportation of more than 1 billion barrels of oil in recent months.
As tensions continue, the U.S. has also maintained a blockade on Iranian ports and issued threats of secondary sanctions against businesses that engage with Iranian airlines, prompting cancellations of related flights by the United Arab Emirates, Iraq, and Oman.
U.S. Aims for a Quick Resolution
President Trump remarked on Monday that U.S. officials are in communication with mediators and expressed confidence in a favorable outcome, stating, “We’re going to win. It’s going to go pretty quickly.” He also predicted that gas prices would decrease once hostilities conclude.
In Tehran, Iran’s leadership conveyed a defiant stance. Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, referencing the Iran-Iraq War and recent regional conflicts, declared an end to foreign domination. “Whenever they have risked [intervention], they have only inflicted harm upon themselves,” Khamenei affirmed.
Meanwhile, Major-General Ali Abdollahi, the armed forces chief of staff, warned that Iran and its allies stand ready to deliver a “decisive and devastating response” to any perceived threats. Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari further insisted that Iranian forces remain vigilant in protecting the Strait of Hormuz and preventing incursions by hostile forces.
