Iran's Foreign Minister Meets Qatari Mediators Amid Ongoing Nuclear Talks

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met with Qatari mediators in New York to discuss a proposal regarding the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. A U.S. official stated that there would be no agreement to end the conflict unless Iran's nuclear program is addressed. Araghchi indicated that the Qatari mediators would relay the ideas discussed to the U.S. and expressed hope for a response by Tuesday. He mentioned that discussions focused on finding solutions to fulfill Iran's conditions and implementing them. Araghchi planned to return to Tehran shortly after the meeting, stating that the Qatari mediators would know how to communicate any response to Iran. He described the meetings as part of ongoing exchanges facilitated by Qatari and Pakistani mediators, which have intensified since Iran submitted its proposal. The Iranian plan, announced on Friday during the United Nations General Assembly, calls for the U.S. to release frozen Iranian funds, lift sanctions, and end its naval blockade of Iranian ports. Araghchi asserted that these steps could be completed within four to five days, enabling the reopening of the strait and the commencement of negotiations on a final agreement, including Iran's nuclear program, by the seventh day. However, U.S. President Donald Trump rejected the proposal, labeling it 'unacceptable.' The U.S. official, speaking to Al Jazeera, noted that indirect discussions were ongoing and described them as 'positive and constructive,' but reiterated that no agreement would be reached without addressing Iran's nuclear program. The official mentioned that Trump is open to easing sanctions and releasing Iran's frozen funds in exchange for progress on nuclear issues. The official also expressed skepticism regarding Iran's reliability, citing a breach of a memorandum of understanding signed in June due to Iranian attacks on commercial vessels. Tehran denied these accusations, asserting that the U.S. had violated commitments by not halting Israeli attacks on Lebanon and attempting to establish alternative shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz. Iran had previously closed the strait, which is crucial for global oil and gas supplies, shortly after the U.S. and Israel initiated military actions on February 28. Iranian attacks on vessels have significantly reduced shipping, causing oil prices to rise above $100 per barrel. Nevertheless, crude exports from major Middle Eastern producers increased in September to 12.8 million barrels per day, the highest since the onset of the conflict, according to maritime intelligence firm Kpler. This figure remains below the 18.8 million barrels per day exported in February. Some vessels have utilized a U.S. military-supervised route along the coast of Oman, traveling at night with tracking systems disabled and transferring oil to tankers outside the strait. Admiral Brad Cooper, head of U.S. Central Command, reported that American forces have facilitated 2,000 transits and over 1 billion barrels of oil in recent months. The U.S. has also enforced a blockade on Iranian ports and threatened secondary sanctions against airports and companies engaging with Iranian airlines, leading the United Arab Emirates, Iraq, and Oman to cancel related flights. Trump stated that U.S. officials have communicated with mediators but insisted on Washington's eventual success, claiming, 'We’re going to win,' and predicting a decrease in gas prices once the U.S. prevails. In Tehran, officials maintained a defiant stance. Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, in a message commemorating the Iran-Iraq War and the killing of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, asserted that foreign domination is coming to an end. Khamenei stated, 'Whenever they have risked doing so, they have only inflicted harm upon themselves, and the time is fast approaching when the Arabian Sea, too, will be cleared of their presence.' Major-General Ali Abdollahi, chief of staff of the armed forces, warned that Iran and its allies would deliver a 'decisive and devastating response' to any threats against the country. Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari confirmed that the Strait of Hormuz remains closed and stated that Iranian forces are prepared to prevent any enemy incursions.