Qatari mediators are expected to hold separate talks with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi in New York and the United States side on Monday or Tuesday, in a fresh diplomatic effort to end the conflict.
The talks are expected to focus on an amended version of a seven-day proposal presented by Iran last week on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly, an official briefed on the negotiations said.
Araqchi remains in New York after attending the General Assembly, while it was not immediately clear who would represent the US side in the talks with the mediators.
Iran’s seven-day plan envisages an end to hostilities in Iran and Lebanon, the unfreezing of billions of dollars in Iranian assets, an end to sanctions on Iranian oil and the lifting of the US blockade on Iranian ports.
READ ALSO: US Rejects Iran’s Proposal to Reopen Strait of Hormuz
Under the proposal, Tehran would then allow the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, while the two sides would resume talks on Iran’s nuclear programme.
US President Donald Trump said he had rejected Iran’s proposal, arguing that Tehran wanted a swift agreement because of the economic pressure it was facing.
Trump, however, said he expected US negotiators to engage in further talks with Iran this week.
Araqchi said on Sunday that mediators had not formally conveyed a US rejection to Tehran and that Iran was awaiting Washington’s definitive position before deciding its next steps.
“Our conditions are clear, and any move toward reopening the Strait of Hormuz is contingent on these conditions being met,” he said.
The Iranian foreign minister said only a negotiated solution could resolve the impasse.
Reuters
