UK Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband met Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi in New York while senior Iranian officials said the US has four to five days to respond to Tehran's conditions for reopening the strait of Hormuz.
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Key facts
- Ed Miliband met Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in New York for the first time.
- Senior Iranian officials say the US has four to five days to respond to conditions for reopening the strait of Hormuz.
- The deadline was specified by Mohsen Rezaei, secretary of the supreme national security council, in a TV interview.
- It is unclear what action Iran will take if the US does not respond to its preconditions.
The UK foreign secretary, Ed Miliband, has met his Iranian counterpart, Abbas Araghchi, for the first time in New York, according to the Guardian. The meeting came amid warnings from senior Iranian security officials over the future of the strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping waterway.
Senior Iranian officials said Washington has four to five days to respond to Tehran’s conditions for reopening the strait, the Guardian reported. The apparent deadline marks a new development in the standoff over the waterway.
The previously unknown deadline was specified by Mohsen Rezaei, the secretary of the supreme national security council, in a television interview on Wednesday evening, according to the Guardian.
It remains unclear what action Tehran will take if the US does not respond to Iran’s preconditions for reopening the strait, the report said. The uncertainty surrounding Iran’s next steps adds to tensions over the crucial route.
The meeting between Miliband and Araghchi took place against this backdrop, marking their first direct contact. The Guardian did not report the outcome of the discussions.
Why it matters
The strait of Hormuz is one of the world's most important shipping routes for oil and gas, and any disruption there can affect global energy supplies and prices. Direct talks between the UK and Iran, alongside Tehran's ultimatum to Washington, signal a period of heightened diplomatic tension that could have wide international consequences.
Frequently asked questions
Who did Ed Miliband meet?
According to the Guardian, UK Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband met his Iranian counterpart, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, in New York for the first time.
What deadline has Iran set?
Senior Iranian officials said the US has four to five days to respond to Iran's conditions for reopening the strait of Hormuz, a deadline specified by Mohsen Rezaei in a TV interview.
What happens if the US does not respond?
According to the Guardian, it is unclear what action Tehran will take if the US does not respond to its preconditions for reopening the waterway.
Timeline
- Ed Miliband meets Iran’s foreign minister as Tehran gives US ultimatum on strait of Hormuz
The Guardian World: Senior Iranian officials say Washington has four to five days to respond to its conditions for reopening the strait The UK foreign secretary, Ed Miliband, has met his Iranian counterpart, Abbas Araghchi, for the first time in New York amid warnings from senior Iranian security of