The United States and Iran held hours of diplomatic contacts in New York on Tuesday as international efforts intensified to end the war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

US special envoy Steve Witkoff said mediators moved between the two delegations throughout the day, describing the discussions as constructive. President Donald Trump said Witkoff and Jared Kushner also held a three-hour meeting with Iranian officials and that there was “a lot of momentum” toward a possible agreement.

According to Al Jazeera, Iranian state media confirmed that Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met Witkoff after weeks without direct contact. Tehran used the meeting to convey its conditions, including an end to the US naval blockade, the release of frozen Iranian assets and an easing of military pressure.

Iran has also said it could reopen the Strait of Hormuz within seven days if Washington meets its demands. The waterway is a major route for global oil shipments, making its reopening a central issue in the diplomatic push.

The contacts followed Trump’s warning at the UN General Assembly that the US faced a choice between a negotiated settlement and further military action against Iran. Iranian military authorities responded by warning that any further attack would bring a stronger response.

Qatar and Pakistan are also working to ease tensions between Washington and Tehran. Qatar’s prime minister met Araghchi in New York, while Trump held talks with leaders and senior officials from Gulf countries, Türkiye, Jordan, Syria and Iraq on regional security.

The latest contacts mark a renewed diplomatic effort after months of confrontation. But major differences remain over Iran’s nuclear programme, US military pressure and the conditions for reopening the Strait of Hormuz.

BOB Post