Iranian Foreign Minister Meets Qatari Mediator in New York

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi will meet with a Qatari mediator in New York today, following US President Donald Trump's rejection of Iran's plan to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, the center of the Middle East war. The state-run Irib television announced the meeting will address messages exchanged with the US through third parties, particularly Iran's conditions for reopening the strait. Indirect discussions mediated by Qatar occurred Tuesday at the UN General Assembly, involving US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. Iran has presented seven conditions, including a seven-day cessation of hostilities, unfreezing Iranian assets, lifting oil sanctions, and ending the US naval blockade. The strait, which carried a fifth of global hydrocarbons before the war, remains contested since US and Israeli attacks on Iran began in late February. While US strikes have paused since September 1, Washington has intensified economic pressure, imposing sanctions on Iranian airlines that forced international flight cancellations. Iran has filed official protests with the International Civil Aviation Organization and the International Court of Justice.