Messages via intermediaries for hours; Wytkoff reveals Iran talks behind the scenes

U.S. special envoy Steve Wytkoff revealed details of the round of talks conducted between the United States and Iran on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, confirming that communications lasted for hours through intermediaries shuttling between the two delegations throughout Tuesday.

Long discussions

Wytkoff said in a post on the platform "X" that the U.S. side held "lengthy discussions" with the Iranian delegation through intermediaries who conveyed messages between the parties throughout the day.

He added: "We successfully completed a round of discussions, hoping they will be constructive and promising," affirming that intermediaries will continue their efforts between Washington and Tehran.

Trump had announced on Tuesday that talks with Iran would continue, expressing optimism about reaching a resolution.

President Donald Trump stated that "very productive" talks took place on Tuesday between Iranian and American officials on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York, following hours of threats to eliminate the Islamic Republic if no agreement was reached.

He said Wytkoff and Jared Kushner participated in talks lasting nearly three hours, adding that another meeting is expected to be held "in the near future."

In contrast, Tehran confirmed its readiness to continue diplomatic efforts during the General Assembly sessions, as regional countries play a mediating role between the two sides.

Conditions for ending the war

These communications come after Tehran presented conditions tied to ending the war and reopening the Strait of Hormuz.

According to Iranian media reports, Iranian demands include lifting the U.S. maritime blockade, releasing frozen Iranian assets, and ending hostilities across all fronts.

Additionally, a senior Iranian official stated that Tehran is ready to reopen the Strait of Hormuz within a week, provided the United States takes reciprocal steps to ease military pressure and lift the blockade on Iranian ports.

The new round unfolds amid ongoing U.S. and Iranian efforts to explore opportunities for a settlement ending the conflict that has persisted for nearly seven months, while issues such as halting combat, the future of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, and Iran’s nuclear program remain at the heart of disagreements between the two sides.

During his speech before the UN General Assembly, Trump reiterated Washington’s stance opposing Iran possessing nuclear weapons, alongside continued U.S. economic pressure on Tehran.

Although neither side has officially announced an agreement yet, Wytkoff’s statements indicate that the negotiation path continues through intermediaries, with expectations of further rounds of communication between Washington and Tehran.