Abbas Araqchi, Iran's Foreign Minister, will hold talks in New York on Monday or Tuesday along with Qatari mediators. These negotiations are part of new efforts to end the ongoing war and crises in the region.
Details of the Negotiations
These talks are likely based on a revised version of a seven-day plan that Iran presented last week on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly. Araqchi, who remained in New York after attending the General Assembly, is set to meet with the mediators. It is still unclear who the representative of the United States will be in these negotiations.
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The semi-official Iranian news agency, ISNA, has confirmed that Araqchi will meet with the mediators on Monday morning New York time. The two sides are expected to "discuss the latest proposals and views regarding the current situation."
Iran's Preconditions and U.S. Response
Ismail Baqeri, spokesperson for the Iranian Foreign Ministry, announced on Monday that Araqchi's stay in New York has not been extended and he will return to Tehran as previously scheduled. Baqeri did not comment on the negotiations with the mediators.
In its seven-day plan, Iran has proposed an end to all hostilities in Iran and Lebanon, the release of billions of dollars of Iranian assets, an end to sanctions on Iranian oil, and the lifting of the U.S. blockade on Iranian ports. In return, Tehran will agree to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, and both sides will continue discussions regarding Iran's nuclear program.
The U.S. government, led by Donald Trump, announced on Saturday that it has rejected Iran's proposal, stating that Tehran is seeking a quick deal due to severe economic pressures. However, Trump told reporters on Sunday that he expects American negotiators to participate in further talks this week.
Araqchi stated on Sunday that the mediators have not officially conveyed a rejection of the proposal from the United States to Tehran, and Iran is awaiting Washington's definitive position before making decisions on its next steps. He emphasized, "Our conditions are clear, and any action towards reopening the Strait of Hormuz is conditional on the fulfillment of these conditions."
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