US President Donald Trump announced on September 22, 2026, that talks between US and Iranian officials on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York were "very productive". The talks, which lasted around three hours, were described by Trump as "very good and very productive". He also stated that further discussions would take place "in the very near future". The meeting was attended by US officials, including Special Representative for Iran Steve Wittig and Jared Kushner, Trump's senior advisor and son-in-law.
According to a senior source, the meeting between the US and Iranian delegations in New York helped to break the deadlock in negotiations. The source noted that a breakthrough between the US and Iran is possible but would require multiple steps. The consultations between the US and Iran are based on opening the Strait of Hormuz and easing sanctions and the blockade. The Iranian delegation that met with Wittig and Kushner confirmed that they had full authority.
The talks between the US and Iran took place after Trump's threat to "obliterate" Iran if no agreement is reached. In a speech to the UN General Assembly, Trump had reiterated his threat, saying that Iran's nuclear program was a major concern. However, in his press conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Trump seemed optimistic about the prospects of a new agreement. He stated that the US and Iran are getting close to a settlement.
The US-Iran talks are the first direct negotiations between the two countries since July when an interim agreement collapsed. The agreement had aimed to end the war after weeks of negotiations. Trump's comments on the talks came as a surprise, given his previous stance on Iran. The US has been critical of Iran's nuclear program and has imposed significant sanctions on the country.
The Iranian delegation that met with US officials in New York included senior officials who have previously been involved in nuclear negotiations. The talks are seen as a significant development in the relationship between the US and Iran, which has been strained for several years. The US has been seeking to pressure Iran to limit its nuclear program and reduce its support for militant groups in the region.
The outcome of the talks is uncertain, but both sides have expressed optimism about the prospects of a new agreement. The US has indicated that it is willing to engage in further discussions with Iran, and Iranian officials have stated that they are open to negotiations. However, significant differences remain between the two countries, including Iran's nuclear program and the US presence in the region.
The US-Iran talks have been closely watched by other countries in the region, including Iraq, which has been affected by the conflict between the US and Iran. The Iraqi government has been seeking to maintain good relations with both countries and has been working to reduce tensions in the region. The outcome of the talks could have significant implications for regional security and stability.
Key points
- The US and Iran have held "very productive" talks on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York.
- The talks were attended by senior US officials, including Steve Wittig and Jared Kushner.
- The outcome of the talks is uncertain, but both sides have expressed optimism about the prospects of a new agreement.
