{
  "id": 9200074,
  "title": "Iran and US held direct UN talks, with Islamic Republic's terms to reopen Hormuz hardening",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/22/iran-and-us-held-direct-un-talks-with-islamic-republics-terms-to-9200074",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-22T20:58:37.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Middle East Eye",
    "slug": "middle-east-eye",
    "url": "https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/iran-and-us-held-direct-un-talks-islamic-republic-terms-reopen-hormuz-hardening"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Iran and the United States held direct UN talks, with Iran's terms for reopening the Hormuz Strait hardening, according to a senior Iranian official. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met with US special envoy Steve Witkoff on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York City on Tuesday. The meeting, the first of its kind in months, aimed to discuss terms to end the ongoing war. Gulf states facilitated the meeting, which follows the collapse of a June ceasefire extension. Iran's terms include an immediate lifting of the US naval blockade, release of $24bn in frozen Iranian assets, and the ending of the war across all \"resistance\" fronts. Iran has also demanded the release of the full $24bn in frozen assets up front, rather than in stages, as well as a lifting of the Saudi blockade on Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen. These terms are a significant shift from Iran's previous demands, which linked a ceasefire with Israel stopping its attacks on Lebanon.",
  "summary": "Iran and US held direct UN talks, with Islamic Republic's terms to reopen Hormuz hardening Submitted by Sean Mathews on Tue, 09/22/2026 - 21:13 Iran wants ceasefire tied to lifting blockade of Houthi-controlled parts of Yemen and immediate release of $24bn frozen funds, official says Iran Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrives during the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly at UN…",
  "key_points": [
    "Iran and US held direct UN talks in New York City",
    "Iran demands immediate lifting of naval blockade and $24bn asset release",
    "Terms represent shift from previous demands linked to Israel"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Al-Monitor",
        "title": "Trump threatens Iran with 'hell' but unveils fresh talks",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/22/trump-threatens-iran-with-hell-but-unveils-fresh-talks",
        "published": "2026-09-22T19:30:23.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Middle East Eye",
        "title": "Iran and US held direct UN talks, with Islamic Republic's terms to reopen Hormuz hardening",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/22/iran-and-us-held-direct-un-talks-with-islamic-republics-terms-to",
        "published": "2026-09-22T21:20:08.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}