Iran, US discuss conditions for reopening Strait of Hormuz

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff on Tuesday on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York to discuss Tehran’s conditions for reopening the Strait of Hormuz, a key maritime route for global energy shipments.

Iran has demanded that the US immediately lift its naval blockade, release frozen Iranian assets and end the war on all fronts, Iranian state media reported.

There was no immediate information on the US response to the demands.

The meeting came as the US and Iran continued discussions over ending their conflict and reopening the strategic waterway.

Speaking at a meeting with representatives from 12 Middle Eastern countries, excluding Israel and Iran, US President Donald Trump said Witkoff and Jared Kushner had held a “very productive” meeting with Iranian counterparts earlier on Tuesday.

Trump also said he hoped the US would reach a deal with Iran to end the conflict by the upcoming US midterm elections, if not before.

The Strait of Hormuz has remained a key point of contention during the conflict because of its importance to global energy shipments.

In a separate development on Wednesday, Iran’s parliamentary National Security and Foreign Policy Commission approved new penalties for vessels that violate transit regulations in the Strait of Hormuz.