US envoy meets Iran for first time in three months over Strait of Hormuz

US President Donald Trump announced on September 22 that US envoy Steve Witkoff held a three-hour meeting with Iranian officials in New York, marking the first such talks in three months. The meeting, mediated by Qatari diplomats and attended by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, took place on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly. Iran signaled readiness to reopen the Strait of Hormuz within a week if the US eases military and economic pressure. Iran's softened stance, approved by leader Mojtaba Khamenei, reportedly relaxes seven prior conditions, though divisions remain in Tehran. Trump said he expects a deal after US midterm elections, while The Guardian notes both sides remain far apart.