US, Iran separately talk with mediators in latest bid to end war

US and Iranian Officials Engage Mediators in Bid to End Ongoing War

Renewed Diplomatic Efforts to Resolve the Conflict

By Enas Alashray

Sept 28 (Reuters) - US and Iranian officials spoke separately with mediators on Monday as part of a renewed effort to end seven months of war, according to officials of both countries.

Focus of Upcoming Negotiations

Any further talks are expected to focus on an amended version of a seven-day proposal that Iran presented last week on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly, an official briefed on the negotiations told Reuters.

Background: The War and Previous Ceasefires

The war began in late February with US and Israeli attacks on Iran, killing thousands of people over seven months and shocking global markets as vital waterways for oil remained choked. The US and Iran have twice previously agreed to ceasefires in mediated peace talks, in April and June. Those agreements quickly unraveled.

Iran’s Position and Expectations

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi, who remained in New York after attending the General Assembly, said Iran expected to receive the US response to its latest ceasefire proposals and its conditions for restoring passage of maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, according to state news agency IRNA.

Official Statements from Iran

"If the Americans claim they are seeking an agreement or a peaceful solution, we have presented that solution," Araqchi said.

US Response and Mediation Efforts

US officials separately spoke with mediators on Monday, US President Donald Trump told reporters at the White House, without giving further details.

Key Proposals and Sticking Points

Iran's Seven-Day Plan

TRUMP HAS FLAGGED FURTHER TALKS THIS WEEK 

Iran's seven-day plan envisages an end to all hostilities in Iran and Lebanon, the unfreezing of billions of dollars' worth of Iranian assets, an end to sanctions on Iranian oil and the lifting of the US blockade on Iranian ports.

Conditions for Reopening the Strait of Hormuz

Iran would then allow the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital conduit for oil tankers, and the two sides would also resume talks on Iran's nuclear program and Trump's wish to seize or eliminate its highly enriched uranium. 

US Reaction to Iran’s Proposal

Trump said on Saturday he had rejected Iran's proposal, saying Iran wanted a swift agreement because of the crippling economic pressure it is under. However, he also told Axios on Sunday that he expected US negotiators to engage in further talks this week.

Awaiting Washington’s Definitive Position

Araqchi said on Sunday that mediators had not formally conveyed a US rejection, and that Iran was awaiting Washington's definitive position before deciding its next steps.

"Our conditions are clear, and any move toward reopening the Strait of Hormuz is contingent on these conditions being met," he said on Sunday, adding that only a negotiated solution could resolve the impasse.

Reporting Credits

(Reporting by Andrew Mills, additional reporting by Elwely Elwelly; Writing by Eman Abouhassira and Jonathan Allen, Editing by Aidan Lewis, Gareth Jones and David Gregorio)