Iran-US, new talks in New York. Tehran calls for end to naval blockade

The United States and Iran held a new round of talks on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff reported that the negotiations, conducted through mediators shuttling between the two delegations, lasted all day and are hoped to prove constructive.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei confirmed that Tehran has conveyed its conditions to the United States through Qatari mediators. The demands include an end to the war on all fronts, a halt to U.S. military actions, the lifting of the naval blockade, and the unfreezing of Iran's frozen assets. Meanwhile, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has arrived in New York to participate in the General Assembly proceedings.

The conflict between the United States and Iran erupted openly on February 28 of this year, when American and Israeli forces attacked Iran, decapitating its military leadership. Iran responded by striking Israel, U.S. bases in the Gulf, and mobilizing its allies, such as Hezbollah in Lebanon, while also blocking the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, a crucial route for oil transportation.

In June, after months of clashes, the two sides signed a 14-point memorandum of understanding that included a ceasefire. However, on July 8, the United States launched a new attack, leading to another wave of raids. Although the bombings ceased after a few days, the Strait of Hormuz remains effectively blocked, with severe repercussions for the global economy. Peace talks, often conducted through mediators such as Qatar, continue amid mutual threats and irreconcilable demands.