Tehran splits over US-Iran talks in New York

Divisions have emerged within Tehran over US-Iran talks in New York, following Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi's contact with US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, which Iran's Tasnim news agency, linked to the IRGC, reported was not "authorised" by Iran's policymaking bodies. Iranian officials have defended the diplomacy, with the foreign ministry stating the New York contact was conducted through Qatari mediation to communicate Iran's conditions. US President Donald Trump called the three-hour meeting "very good," citing "a lot of momentum," while Witkoff said discussions were "constructive and promising." Iran has tied progress to demands including an end to US military action and naval blockade, release of frozen assets, and resumption of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. Key questions remain over sequencing of steps and whether Iranian negotiators have domestic backing to deliver an agreement.