In a crucial one-on-one diplomatic meeting on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, Abbas Araghchi and Steve Whitcomb discussed Tehran’s conditions regarding the Strait of Hormuz, while Donald Trump expressed optimism about a possible agreement with Iran.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met with U.S. Special Envoy Steve Whitcomb on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, conveying to him Tehran’s conditions for reopening the strategically important Strait of Hormuz, according to Iranian media.
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The meeting took place at Whitecoff’s request, as reported by Iranian state television IRIB, with the Iranian side insisting that the lifting of restrictions is a prerequisite for any progress.
Tehran’s Conditions Regarding the Strait of Hormuz
According to reports in the Iranian media, Tehran’s demands include:
- the immediate lifting of the naval blockade imposed by the U.S.,
- the immediate unfreezing of Iranian assets that remain frozen,
- an end to hostilities on all fronts, including Lebanon.
The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most important maritime routes for energy transportation, a fact that makes the situation in the region critical for the international market.
Trump: Three-hour U.S.-Iran meeting was “very good”
Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump revealed that U.S. officials had a three-hour meeting with the Iranian delegation, which he described as “very good.”
Trump made the remarks during his meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, when asked if there had been any contact between his administration and the Iranian side.
“It ended an hour ago. It was a three-hour meeting. It was a very good meeting,” he said, adding that further contact is expected “in the very near future.”
Following his meeting with British Prime Minister Andy Burnham, the U.S. president expressed optimism about the progress of the talks, noting that an agreement between Washington and Tehran might be reached.
“I believe a settlement will be reached,” he said, arguing that the Iranians “want to talk with us” and that talks are continuing.
However, Trump reiterated that the U.S. will not allow Iran to acquire nuclear weapons.
“I have to decide whether to wipe out Iran or make a deal”
Earlier, speaking at the UN General Assembly, Donald Trump called on international leaders to remain “united in putting pressure on Iran.”
The U.S. president stated that he faces a critical choice: “whether to destroy Iran or to make a deal” with Tehran, though he noted that a deal is likely to be reached after the November midterm elections in the U.S.
Trump reiterated that Iran “must never acquire nuclear weapons,” describing the Iranian regime as “weak and desperate” and arguing that “major changes could happen quickly.”
In a meeting with leaders of the Gulf Cooperation Council and other Arab countries, the U.S. president also stated that the U.S. has “economically isolated” Iran and that there is still time for Tehran to change its stance.
Iran’s Response to Trump’s Threats
The Iranian military and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) characterized Trump’s statements about the possible “elimination” of the Islamic Republic as “domestic propaganda.”
In a joint statement by the General Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces and the Hatam al-Anbiya Central Command, broadcast on state-run IRIB television, it is stated that the U.S. president’s remarks reflect “the strategic impasse the U.S. faces in its aggression against the Iranian nation.”
At the same time, Trump reiterated his claims that U.S. operations have dealt serious blows to Iran’s military capabilities.
As he stated, the Iranian navy has been “neutralized,” claiming that all 159 of Iran’s ships were destroyed by U.S. forces. He also claimed that more than 90% of Iranian aircraft have been damaged, along with 430 weapons storage facilities and 800 drone depots.
“We have wiped out their air defense systems, completely decimated their terrorist leadership, and destroyed their economy,” the U.S. president said.
Source: Proto Thema
