According to Reuters, a senior Iranian official said Tehran’s delegation has full authority to resume negotiations with the United States. However, there are currently no plans for a direct meeting between Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and US President Donald Trump.
The Iranian official said that if the United States reduces military pressure and lifts the blockade imposed on Iranian ports, Iran could reopen the Strait of Hormuz to Gulf countries within a week. The official said Tehran had already conveyed its latest proposal to Washington through intermediaries last week.
The official said the United States would have to formally announce that it wants to resolve the issue through diplomatic means, after which a timeline for negotiations could be agreed. He described the UN General Assembly as an important opportunity for Washington to return to diplomacy.
Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington is prepared to talk to Iranian officials, particularly if there is a possibility of achieving a positive outcome through negotiations.
Regarding a possible meeting between Trump and Pezeshkian, Rubio said Trump is a practical person and there is no harm in talking to anyone. However, he also pointed out that the ultimate authority in Iran rests with the Supreme Leader.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, while leaving for New York to attend the 81st session of the UN General Assembly, said he would present Iran’s position to restore global trust and highlight what he described as US coercion at the international level.
Meanwhile, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf showed no indication of flexibility in Iran’s position. He said Iran would never back down and that Trump must understand that power cannot be imposed on the Iranian people and armed forces.
Trump is also expected to meet with leaders from Gulf countries. Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates want maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz to resume, but they are also cautious because of their regional ties with Iran and security concerns.
According to Reuters, the Gulf countries’ meeting will also consider a proposal from Qatar for a joint regional security framework involving Iran and the Arab Gulf states. Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani said such an arrangement should include security guarantees for Gulf countries and greater economic interdependence with Iran.
Meanwhile, actions by Yemen’s Houthi group have also increased tensions in the region. The Iran-backed Houthis have advanced against Saudi-backed Yemeni forces near the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab and have also carried out missile and drone attacks on Saudi Arabia, increasing concerns over trade routes and energy supplies.
According to Reuters, the presence of the Iranian and US presidents at the UN General Assembly marks the first time they have attended the gathering since US and Israeli operations began in February, putting potential diplomatic contacts in New York under renewed focus.
