Iran’s Araghchi Meets Trump Envoy Witkoff at UN, Sets Out Conditions for Reopening Hormuz

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met US special envoy Steve Witkoff on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, with Tehran conveying conditions it says must be met for the Strait of Hormuz to be fully reopened.

Iranian state media reported that the meeting took place at Witkoff’s request. Araghchi used the talks to communicate Tehran’s position on the strategic waterway, which has remained at the centre of tensions between Washington and Tehran.

Iran Sets Out Conditions for Reopening Hormuz

According to Iranian state media, Tehran has called for three steps before reopening the Strait of Hormuz: an immediate end to the US naval blockade, the release of frozen Iranian assets and an end to the war across what it described as all “resistance” fronts.

The reported demands come as Washington and Tehran explore diplomatic contacts aimed at ending the conflict. Reuters separately reported that a senior Iranian official said Tehran could reopen the strait within a week if the US eased military pressure and lifted its blockade on Iranian ports.

The Strait of Hormuz is a critical route for global energy shipments, making its status a major concern for oil markets and countries dependent on Gulf supplies.

Trump Confirms US-Iran Talks

US President Donald Trump confirmed that American and Iranian representatives had held talks on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.

Trump described the discussions as a “very productive” three-hour meeting and said another meeting was expected in the near future. He later identified Witkoff and Jared Kushner as members of the US team involved in the discussions.

Iranian state media, meanwhile, specifically identified Witkoff in its account of Araghchi’s meeting.

The contact represents another diplomatic channel between Washington and Tehran as both sides remain divided over the war, sanctions, military pressure and the reopening of Hormuz.

Trump Warns Iran of ‘Annihilation’

The meeting came shortly after Trump issued a stark warning to Iran during his UN General Assembly address.

Trump said Tehran faced a choice between reaching a deal and what he described as the possible “annihilation” of the Islamic Republic. During the speech, most members of Iran’s delegation reportedly walked out.

Trump also indicated that he believed a deal could potentially be reached after the US midterm elections in November.

The latest diplomatic contacts come against that backdrop, with Iran publicly outlining conditions for reopening Hormuz while Washington continues to push for an agreement to end the conflict.