US and Iran resume talks at UN amid heightened tensions

On Tuesday, US and Iranian representatives held high-level meetings on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York to address the nearly seven-month-long conflict. US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner met with an Iranian delegation, represented by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, to discuss potential pathways to a deal. Despite the return to negotiations, US President Donald Trump used his UN speech to call for the complete economic isolation of Iran, threatening the nation with "annihilation" if an agreement is not reached. Iran’s Armed Forces dismissed these threats as "propaganda," asserting their readiness to respond to aggression.

Key discussion points included conditions for reopening the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran signaled could be cleared within seven days if military pressure is eased and the US blockade on Iranian ports is lifted. While Trump suggested a deal might be finalized after the US midterm elections in November, he maintained a combative stance during his address. Conversely, Secretary of State Marco Rubio indicated a US openness to dialogue, provided it leads to positive outcomes. The sides remain deeply divided, following the collapse of a previous understanding in June that had initially aimed to de-escalate the ongoing crisis.