US and Iran to Hold Indirect Talks Mediated by Qatar This Week

United States and Iranian officials are expected to hold separate, indirect talks with Qatari mediators in New York on Monday or Tuesday, according to an official briefed on the negotiations. The discussions represent a renewed diplomatic push to de-escalate the ongoing conflict following last week's United Nations General Assembly.

The Proposal on the Table

The talks will reportedly center on an amended version of a seven-day proposal presented by Iran. An official, who spoke to Reuters on the condition of anonymity, outlined the key components of the Iranian plan:

• An end to all hostilities in Iran and Lebanon.
• The unfreezing of billions of dollars in Iranian assets.
• An end to sanctions on Iranian oil and the lifting of the U.S. blockade on its ports.

In exchange for these concessions, Tehran would reopen the strategic Strait of Hormuz and agree to resume talks on its nuclear program. Iran’s semi-official ISNA news agency confirmed that Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi, who remains in New York, would meet with the mediators.

Conflicting Signals from Washington

Ad

The diplomatic effort follows mixed messages from the U.S. administration. President Donald Trump said on Saturday that he had rejected Iran’s proposal, citing the crippling economic pressure on Tehran as a reason for its desire for a swift agreement.

However, in a subsequent interview with Axios on Sunday, Trump indicated that he expected U.S. negotiators to engage in further talks this week. It was not immediately clear who would represent the U.S. in the mediated discussions.

Iran Awaits Formal Response

Iranian Foreign Minister Araqchi said on Sunday that mediators had not formally conveyed a U.S. rejection to Tehran. He stated that Iran is awaiting Washington’s definitive position before deciding on its next steps.

"Our conditions are clear, and any move toward reopening the Strait of Hormuz is contingent on these conditions being met," Araqchi said, adding that only a negotiated solution could resolve the impasse. The outcome of these talks is being closely watched by energy markets, given the potential impact on global oil supply.