US and Iran separately talk with mediators in latest bid to end war
USO•US and Iranian officials spoke separately with mediators on Monday as part of a renewed effort to end seven months of war. Talks are expected to focus on an amended version of Iran’s seven-day proposal, which ties reopening the Strait of Hormuz to US actions.
1. Mediated talks resume
US and Iranian officials spoke separately with mediators on Monday. An official briefed on the negotiations said further talks are expected to focus on an amended version of Iran’s seven-day proposal, presented last week on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.
2. Iran’s conditions
Iran’s proposal calls for an end to hostilities in Iran and Lebanon, the unfreezing of Iranian assets, an end to sanctions on Iranian oil and the lifting of the US blockade on Iranian ports. Iran says it would then reopen the Strait of Hormuz, while the two sides resume talks on Iran’s nuclear program.
3. Positions remain apart
President Donald Trump said Saturday that he had rejected Iran’s proposal, but told Axios on Sunday he expected US negotiators to hold further talks this week. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said Iran was awaiting Washington’s definitive position and that reopening the strait depended on Iran’s conditions being met.
