US and Iranian officials sat down for talks in New York on Tuesday, their first direct contact since a ceasefire between the two countries fell apart earlier this year. The meeting, brokered by Qatar, brought together Iran’s foreign minister and Steve Witkoff, an envoy for President Trump, on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.
The talks came hours after Trump told the assembly he could “annihilate” Iran if a deal wasn’t reached, framing his approach as “peace through strength.” He spent much of his speech defending the US-Israeli airstrikes on Iran launched in late February, which triggered Iranian retaliation against Israel, US bases in the Gulf, and Gulf allies, along with a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz—a waterway that once carried roughly 20% of the world’s oil and gas shipments. Its closure has caused sharp swings in energy prices worldwide.
Afterward, Trump described the roughly three-hour meeting with Iranian officials as “very productive.” Witkoff said on social media that a round of talks, shuttled between the two delegations by Qatari mediators, had been “constructive and promising,” adding that mediation efforts would continue. Iran’s side said it reiterated demands for the US to halt what it called “acts of aggression” and end the conflict on all fronts.
Since the ceasefire collapsed, both nations have continued sporadic attacks, and the US has kept up a blockade of Iranian ports that has battered the country’s economy. Trump suggested a broader deal might not materialize until after November’s US midterm elections.
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Source: US and Iran hold first talks since June after Trump's 'annihilation' threat (feeds.bbci.co.uk).
Image: Zandcee, BY-SA 4.0 (via Openverse).