Top Iranian and US officials have held talks at the UN in New York on a day when the US leader said he could “annihilate” the Islamic Republic if the conflict went unresolved.
There was no breakthrough from the meeting mediated by Qatar, involving Iran’s foreign minister and US President Donald Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff – the first since a June ceasefire unraveled.
Witkoff said a round of discussions had been completed “that we hope will prove constructive and promising.” Iran reiterated its demand for the US to end its “acts of aggression.”
The US and Israel launched air strikes on Iran on 28 February. Iran responded by attacking Israel, US bases in the Gulf and allies of the US, and blocking the Strait of Hormuz.
Some 20% of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas passes through the strait; its closure has caused wild fluctuations of prices.
The crisis has increased pressure on Trump to find a resolution – especially as the US heads to the Congressional elections in November.
In his address at the annual meeting of the UN General Assembly, Trump began by touting his accomplishments on the economy, immigration, the border and tackling violent crime, a pitch aimed more at voters than diplomats. He spent much of his speech justifying the war with Iran, contrasting with UN Secretary General António Guterres’ warning that global divisions were deepening and underscored the world’s interdependence.
Trump argued that the conflict has prevented Tehran from obtaining a nuclear weapon and demonstrated the value of “peace through strength” – ultimatums instead of deal‑making or compromise.
“Will a deal be made with Iran that lets them rebuild and create a far greater country than it ever was before?” he asked. Then he added, “Or do I annihilate the Islamic Republic…do I drive them into hell?”
Trump said he believed an Iran deal, which has so far eluded him, would come right after November’s elections.
His remarks illustrate the foreign‑policy strategy of coercive diplomacy – threatening overwhelming force while keeping negotiations open.
Trump later told reporters that American officials had had a “very productive” three‑hour meeting with the Iranian delegation on the sidelines of the general assembly.
Iran state TV confirmed that Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met Witkoff. The Iranian foreign ministry said negotiations took place through a Qatari mediator who communicated Tehran’s conditions, including an end to the war on all fronts and to US “acts of aggression”.
The BBC asked Witkoff how the meetings went as he was leaving the UN building and he responded with a thumbs up. He later confirmed on X that the talks had been held “through the mediators, who shuttled between the two sides throughout the day.”
“They successfully completed a round of discussions that we hope will prove constructive and promising,” witkoff said. “The mediators will continue their work.”
Since the ceasefire collapsed, both sides have intermittently exchanged fire. Iran has attacked vessels it says have attempted to cross the Strait of Hormuz without authorization. The US has attacked Iranian sites in the strait – as well as Iranian tankers off the country’s coast.
The US has also maintained a blockade of Iranian ports, causing a huge disruption to the Iranian economy. President Trump has threatened sanctions against any country that continues trading with Iran, but Iran remains firm – insisting the US and Israel end their war, including against the Iran‑backed Shia group Hezbollah in Lebanon.
Yemen’s Houthis, allied to Iran, have recently intensified attacks aimed at disrupting oil shipping from Saudi Arabia, prompting an escalation of the conflict with the kingdom.
