Iran’s Araghchi meets Qatari mediators as US calls for nuclear talks

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi held discussions with Qatari mediators in New York regarding a proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. However, a US official stated that no agreement to end the war could be reached without addressing Iran's nuclear program. Araghchi informed Iranian media that the Qatari mediators would relay the discussed ideas to the US and hoped to receive a final response by Tuesday.

He mentioned that they had discussed potential solutions and plans to meet Iran's conditions. Araghchi also confirmed he would return to Tehran swiftly once a response was received. The meetings, involving Qatari and Pakistani mediators, have become more significant since Iran presented its proposal. The Iranian plan, announced at the UN General Assembly, seeks US release of frozen funds, sanctions lifting, and cessation of the naval blockade.

Iran's proposal could potentially reopen the strait and initiate talks on a final agreement within five days. However, US President Donald Trump dismissed the proposal as "unacceptable" on Saturday. The US official revealed that indirect talks continued, but stressed that an agreement would only be reached if Iran's nuclear issues were addressed.

The official added that Trump is willing to lift sanctions and release funds in exchange for progress on nuclear issues, but expressed skepticism about Iran's reliability, citing their breach of a June memorandum of understanding. Iran has been closing the strait and increasing attacks on commercial vessels, leading to a significant rise in oil prices.

Despite this, crude exports from major Middle East producers have rebounded but remain below the levels before the war. US Central Command reported that American forces have assisted over 2,000 transits and facilitated more than 1 billion barrels of oil in recent months.