U.S., Iran Hold Indirect Talks Amid Threats

The United States and Iran held their first indirect talks in months on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly, with Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner communicating with Iranian officials through Qatari and other mediators. President Donald Trump called the discussions productive and said momentum was building toward a deal, while Iran described the engagement as routine and said its position had not changed; Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington remained open to negotiations aimed at preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. Tehran sought an end to U.S. military action and port blockades, the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, and the release of frozen Iranian assets, while Washington pressed Iran to end the war and return to negotiations. Trump threatened to “annihilate” Iran if no agreement was reached, as military, sanctions and energy pressure continued; Iranian officials also said the strait could reopen within seven days if pressure and the blockade were eased, though Iranian state-affiliated media disputed that a formal offer had been made. The diplomatic opening briefly lowered oil prices and revived hopes for a settlement, even as fighting, shipping disruptions and major financial and military costs continued; Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu separately condemned French President Emmanuel Macron’s criticism of Israel’s conduct in Gaza and the West Bank.