NEW YORK — Iran said Wednesday it had communicated with the United States through a Qatari mediator in New York and conveyed its conditions for ending the conflict, including an end to hostilities, the US naval blockade and what Tehran describes as an economic war.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei said the communication took place between the two countries’ delegations on the sidelines of the 81st UN General Assembly.
“The aim of this interaction was to convey Iran’s conditions, including ending the war in all areas, stopping US aggressive actions and the naval blockade and economic war, and releasing Iranian assets,” Baghaei said.
US President Donald Trump said Tuesday that American officials had engaged in talks involving Iran for about three hours and described the discussions as having gone “very well.”
Trump said his envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner had held a productive meeting with mediators representing Iran, while expressing optimism about the possibility of reaching an agreement.
Iranian state media said Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi communicated with Witkoff and Kushner through Qatari mediation. Accounts differed over whether the interaction involved direct face-to-face talks or shuttle diplomacy through mediators.
The contacts marked the latest diplomatic effort to address the conflict between Iran and the United States and Israel, which began on Feb. 28. Iran says thousands of people have been killed in the conflict.
Tehran responded to the US-Israeli attacks with missile and drone strikes across the region and restrictions on shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic waterway for global energy supplies.
Iran has indicated that it could reopen the Strait of Hormuz if Washington reduces military pressure and lifts its blockade on Iranian ports.
Source: Saudi Gazette