Abbas Araghchi, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic, presented a report on his meetings and encounters in New York on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly with officials from various countries at the beginning of the cabinet meeting on Wednesday morning, October 8. He referred to the new conditions and highlighted the achievements of the Islamic Republic in the international arena, stating: "The Islamic Republic has achieved a distinguished position in the new conditions; European, Arab, and Asian countries have shown a strong eagerness for meetings and have created special respect for Iran and the Islamic Republic in the world."
Details of Negotiations with Qatari Intermediaries
Araghchi said on Tuesday evening to the official news agency of the Islamic Republic, IRNA: "Today, Tuesday, one of the Qatari intermediaries had another meeting with us, and we discussed various topics. They talked about ideas and how to facilitate the realization of Iran's conditions and how to achieve these conditions." He added: "They had ideas, and we had discussions that will also be raised with the American side, and then the final response from the American side will be conveyed to us, which I hope will be done by Tuesday."
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Sanctions Crisis and Economic Pressure
Due to severe economic sanctions imposed by the United States, the economic situation of the Islamic Republic has been significantly affected. American officials believe that the economic pressure resulting from the maritime blockade has pushed the Islamic Republic towards accepting new agreements. Trump, the President of the United States, had previously stated explicitly that he did not accept the Islamic Republic's new proposal and told reporters: "I reject this agreement. They want to make an agreement that would immediately open the Strait because they are losing badly."
Meanwhile, Araghchi said in New York that Tehran has proposed that if the maritime blockade of Iranian ports is lifted, a sanctions exemption for oil sales will be granted, and a ceasefire including Lebanon will be established, allowing the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and resuming negotiations with the United States within a seven-day framework. He also emphasized: "The seven-day timeline will begin as soon as this plan is accepted by the United States."
Challenges of Qatari Mediation
News websites have reported that Ali Al-Thawadi, the Qatari mediator, has discussed with Araghchi and other members of the Islamic Republic's delegation in New York. The focus of the negotiations has been a two-page compromise proposal from Qatar, which seeks to address two main and conflicting demands of the parties: Tehran's request for the lifting of the maritime blockade and Washington's request for specific nuclear concessions from Tehran. However, according to informed sources, Qatar's mediation efforts have not made significant progress, and both sides remain unwilling to retreat from their main positions.
Meanwhile, Mohsen Rezaei, the Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council of the Islamic Republic, reiterated his threats against the United Arab Emirates and urged the country to refrain from exacerbating tensions. He also mentioned that Tehran has conveyed its conditions to the United States, but in his opinion, "Trump is unable to make decisions."
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