Washington, Sep 28 (V7N)- The United States and Iran have renewed diplomatic efforts to end their seven-month-old war, with officials from both sides holding separate discussions with mediators on Monday, according to officials and Reuters.
The renewed contacts are expected to focus on an amended version of a seven-day ceasefire proposal presented by Iran last week on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi remained in New York after attending the UN General Assembly. Iranian state media reported that Tehran was awaiting Washington’s response to its ceasefire proposal and its conditions for restoring maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.
“If the Americans say they want a deal or a peaceful solution, we have presented that solution,” Araghchi said, according to Iranian state media.
US President Donald Trump also confirmed on Monday that American officials had spoken with mediators but did not provide details about the discussions. Trump has separately said he expects further talks with Iran this week.
Under Iran’s proposal, Tehran would agree to reopen the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for an end to hostilities in Iran and Lebanon, the release of frozen Iranian assets, relief from US sanctions on Iranian oil and the lifting of the US blockade on Iranian ports.
The proposal also calls for renewed negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program, including discussions over its highly enriched uranium.
Trump said on Saturday that he had rejected Iran’s proposal, arguing that Tehran was seeking a quick agreement because of economic pressure. Despite rejecting the offer, he has indicated that Washington remains open to further negotiations.
The war began in late February with US and Israeli attacks on Iran, according to Reuters, and has killed thousands of people while disrupting global energy markets and shipping through key waterways.
The United States and Iran have previously reached ceasefire agreements through mediated talks in April and June, but both arrangements quickly broke down, according to Reuters.
The latest diplomatic contacts come as the Strait of Hormuz remains a central issue in negotiations and disruptions to energy shipments continue to affect global markets.
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