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US and Iran resume indirect contacts through Qatar in New York
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Three-hour exchange clarifies duration but produces no announced agreement
The New York exchange involving US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi lasted about three hours, according to President Donald Trump. Iran confirmed communication through Qatari mediation and said it conveyed conditions including ending hostilities, lifting the naval blockade and releasing frozen assets. Accounts still differ on whether direct contact occurred throughout. Neither government announced an agreement or a change in negotiating terms.
Iran confirms mediated New York talks but denies dropping preconditions · US, Iran hold mediated UNGA talks on ending war, opening Strait of Hormuz
Indirect channel reopens without an announced agreement
US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner communicated with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi through Qatari mediation in New York, Reuters reported. These were the first such contacts since an interim ceasefire agreement collapsed in July. Iranian officials said no face-to-face meeting occurred, correcting earlier reports in some Iranian media. Neither side announced a concession, substantive policy change or new agreement, so the development establishes a renewed diplomatic channel rather than progress on disputed terms.
Reuters: Hope for progress after US, Iran hold first shuttle talks in months