Qatar to Mediate Talks Between Iran and US This Week
Qatari mediators are set to hold separate talks with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi in New York and with the US side on Monday or Tuesday, according to an official briefed on the negotiations.
The talks will focus on an amended version of a seven-day proposal that Iran presented last week on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly. This proposal aims to end all hostilities in Iran and Lebanon, unfreeze billions of dollars' worth of Iranian assets, lift US sanctions on Iranian oil, and reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi remains in New York after attending the General Assembly, while it is not clear who will represent the US side in the talks with mediators. Iran's semi-official ISNA news agency confirmed that Araqchi would meet the mediators on Monday morning, New York time.
US President Donald Trump has flagged further talks this week, despite initially rejecting Iran's proposal. However, he told Axios on Sunday that US negotiators will engage in further discussions this week. Araqchi said on Sunday that mediators had not formally conveyed a US rejection to Tehran and that Iran is awaiting Washington's definitive position before deciding its next steps.