US President Donald Trump disclosed that American and Iranian officials held a three-hour meeting on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, calling it 'very good' and hinting at a possible deal while warning of consequences if none is reached.
Key facts
- Trump said US officials met an Iranian delegation for three hours at the UN on Tuesday.
- The talks involved US special envoy Steve Witkoff, according to the Guardian.
- Trump said a further meeting would take place 'in the very near future'.
- A senior Iranian official indicated willingness to reopen the Strait of Hormuz if the US eases pressure on Tehran.
- The talks took place despite Trump threatening to 'annihilate' Iran in his opening UNGA address.
US President Donald Trump said American and Iranian officials held a three-hour meeting on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday, describing the encounter as ‘very good’.
Trump disclosed the talks publicly, saying US officials met with an Iranian delegation and that a further meeting would take place ‘in the very near future’, according to reporting by the Guardian and Al Jazeera.
According to the Guardian, the talks were held with US special envoy Steve Witkoff. The same report said a senior Iranian official indicated a willingness to reopen the Strait of Hormuz if the US takes steps to ease pressure on Tehran.
Trump hinted at the possibility of a deal with Iran but warned of dire consequences if no agreement is reached, Al Jazeera reported.
The meeting went ahead despite Trump using his opening address at the UN General Assembly to threaten to ‘annihilate’ Iran, according to Al Jazeera.
Trump confirmed the meeting again in remarks reported the following day, reiterating that US officials had held a ‘very good’ meeting with the Iranian delegation.
Why it matters
Direct contact between US and Iranian officials signals a potential opening in one of the world's most tense relationships, even amid open threats. The prospect of reopening the Strait of Hormuz carries significant implications for global energy shipping and regional stability.
Frequently asked questions
Who took part in the US-Iran talks at the UN?
Trump said US officials met with an Iranian delegation for three hours. According to the Guardian, the talks involved US special envoy Steve Witkoff.
How long did the meeting last?
Trump said the meeting lasted three hours and described it as 'very good'.
What did Iran signal during the talks?
According to the Guardian, a senior Iranian official indicated a willingness to reopen the Strait of Hormuz if the US takes steps to ease pressure on Tehran.