Headline: US and Iran Hold First Talks Since June

Headline: US and Iran Hold First Talks Since June

Date: 23 September 2026

Tags: US-Iran Conflict, Diplomacy, Middle East, Energy

Summary:

• Senior US and Iranian officials held their first talks since a June ceasefire collapsed.

• Qatar mediated discussions in New York involving Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and US envoy Steve Witkoff.

• No breakthrough was announced, although Witkoff described the discussions as potentially constructive and promising.

• Iran demanded an end to the conflict on all fronts and to what it calls US “acts of aggression”.

• Trump threatened to “annihilate” the Islamic Republic if negotiations fail to resolve the conflict.

• Trump later described the three-hour discussions with Iran as “very productive”.

• The conflict began with US-Israeli strikes on Iran, followed by Iranian attacks and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

• The strait previously carried about 20% of global oil and liquefied natural gas supplies.

• US and Iranian forces have continued intermittent attacks since the previous ceasefire collapsed.

• Trump said he believes an agreement with Iran could be reached after November’s US congressional elections.

Why this matters: A diplomatic breakthrough could reduce regional fighting and potentially ease disruption to global energy supplies through the Strait of Hormuz.

What’s next: Qatari mediators will continue negotiations, but significant differences remain over ending hostilities, sanctions and US military actions.