Iran’s Araghchi Meets Witkoff at UN, Signals Conditions for Reopening Strait of 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 spelling out conditions for reopening the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, Iranian state media reported.

The meeting was reportedly requested by Witkoff. Araghchi agreed to the talks to convey Iran’s position on the waterway, whose status has become a major flashpoint amid the ongoing conflict between Iran and the United States.

Iran Lists Conditions for Reopening Hormuz

According to Iran’s state broadcaster IRIB, Araghchi told Witkoff that Tehran wants three measures before the Strait of Hormuz can be reopened. These include the immediate lifting of the US naval blockade, the release of frozen Iranian assets and an end to the war on what Iranian media described as all “resistance fronts”.

Iranian state media reported that Tehran considers these conditions necessary for the reopening of the key maritime route. The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most important energy corridors, making any disruption to traffic through the waterway a major concern for global oil and gas supplies.

Trump Confirms Three-Hour Meeting

The talks came shortly after US President Donald Trump confirmed that American and Iranian officials had met on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly. Trump described the three-hour discussions as “very productive” and said another meeting was expected soon.

He did not initially reveal the identities of the officials involved. Later, while meeting leaders of the Gulf Cooperation Council, Trump said Witkoff and Jared Kushner had been part of the US delegation. Iranian state media, however, specifically identified Witkoff in its account of Araghchi’s meeting.

Trump Issues Strong Warning to Tehran

The diplomatic contact followed a strongly worded warning from Trump during his UN address. Trump said Iran faced a choice between reaching an agreement and what he described as the “annihilation” of the Islamic Republic. Most members of the Iranian delegation reportedly left the chamber during his speech.

Trump also said he believed a deal with Iran could be reached after the US midterm elections in November. The Araghchi-Witkoff meeting comes as Washington and Tehran explore diplomatic channels while remaining divided over the conflict, sanctions, military pressure and the future of the Strait of Hormuz.