WEBDESK - NAYADAUR
US and Iranian officials held separate discussions with mediators on Monday in a renewed effort to find a diplomatic path to ending seven months of war, according to officials from both countries.
Further negotiations are expected to focus on an amended version of a seven day proposal presented by Iran last week on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
The conflict began in late February with US and Israeli attacks on Iran and has killed thousands of people, while disruptions to major waterways have affected global energy markets and shipping.
The United States and Iran have previously reached two ceasefire agreements through mediated negotiations, in April and June. Both arrangements later broke down.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi remained in New York following the UN General Assembly and said Tehran was waiting for Washington to respond to its latest ceasefire proposal and conditions for restoring maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.
“If the Americans claim they are seeking an agreement or a peaceful solution, we have presented that solution,” Araqchi said, according to Iran’s state news agency IRNA.
US President Donald Trump also confirmed that American officials spoke with mediators on Monday but did not provide details about the discussions.
Iran links Strait reopening to conditions
Iran’s seven day proposal calls for an end to hostilities in Iran and Lebanon, the unfreezing of billions of dollars in Iranian assets, an end to sanctions affecting Iranian oil exports and the lifting of a US blockade on Iranian ports.
In return, Iran would reopen the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important routes for oil shipments. The proposal would also allow the two sides to resume negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program.
The Strait has remained a major point of disagreement throughout the conflict. Restrictions on shipping through the waterway have disrupted energy supplies and increased concerns about the impact of the war on the global economy.
Araqchi said Sunday that Iran’s conditions for reopening the strait were clear and that any move to restore passage would depend on Washington meeting those conditions.
He also said Tehran had not received a formal US rejection of its proposal through the mediators.
Trump signals further negotiations
Trump said Saturday that he had rejected Iran’s proposal, arguing that Tehran was seeking a rapid agreement because of the economic pressure created by the conflict and US sanctions.
However, Trump later said he expected US negotiators to hold further discussions with Iranian representatives during the week.
That has left open a possibility for renewed diplomatic engagement despite the disagreement over the terms and sequence of any potential agreement.
The latest discussions are focused on whether the two sides can reach an arrangement that would halt hostilities, ease economic restrictions and restore shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran has maintained that diplomacy is the only way to resolve the conflict, while Washington has continued to demand changes to Iran’s nuclear activities and its regional military posture.
The separate talks with mediators could determine whether the latest diplomatic effort develops into direct negotiations between Washington and Tehran.