Trump and Xi discuss Middle East conflict as Iran offers seven-day Hormuz reopening plan
At their September 25 summit, Donald Trump and Xi Jinping talked about the Middle East war while Iran presented a seven-day proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and end regional fighting.
On September 25, President Donald Trump met with President Xi Jinping, and the two leaders addressed the seven-month-old Middle East war, calling for a revival of the June cease-fire agreement that briefly paused fighting. Iran’s foreign minister Abbas Araqchi announced a specific seven-day timetable that would reopen the Strait of Hormuz and cease all combat, provided the United States lifts its blockade, frees Iranian assets and waives oil sanctions.
Washington has not issued a formal reply, but a senior US official said constructive talks continue via Qatari mediators. Xi warned Trump against any Chinese support for Iran, receiving assurances that China would not supply weapons. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia hosted defence talks with Turkey and Pakistan, and the UN warned of a worsening humanitarian crisis in Yemen. The proposal also stipulates that Iran will not compromise on its nuclear programme, underscoring the complexity of any settlement.
Why it matters
The talks could determine whether vital oil shipments resume and if the regional war moves toward a cease-fire.
How this story developed
- Sep 14 Trump says United States remains open to talks with Iran to end war
- Sep 22 Trump scheduled to deliver a speech at the UN General Assembly and hold bilateral talks with leaders from Britain, Ukraine, Venezuela, Denmark, Greenland and Gulf states.
- Sep 22 Trump announced a three‑hour US‑Iran meeting at the UN.
- Sep 22 Trump hinted at a possible face‑to‑face meeting between the tycoon and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian at the UN.
- Sep 23 Trump reported a meeting between US and Iranian officials at the UN summit.
- Sep 23 President Donald Trump described the US‑Iran talks as productive.
- Sep 23 Speaking before the United Nations, Masoud Pezeshkian presented images of attacks on Iranian civilians and condemned the United States for ignoring international law. He asserted that Iran's military is purely defensive and that the nation seeks only nuclear energy, not weapons. The American delegation walked out during his remarks. The speech followed a recent address by Donald Trump in which he threatened to eradicate Iran and expressed confidence in a future agreement after the US midterm elections.
- Sep 23 Emmanuel Macron at the UN General Assembly takes a stance opposite to Donald Trump.
- Sep 23 Indirect negotiations between U.S. envoys and Iran’s foreign minister began in New York.
- Sep 24 Speaking at the United Nations, Masoud Pezeshkian declared that Tehran will never bow to American pressure, even after Donald Trump warned of annihilating the Islamic Republic. He warned that sanctions and bullying would only strengthen Iranian resistance. Pezeshkian also criticized the United States and Israel for demanding limits on Iran’s nuclear program while Israel is believed to possess nuclear weapons.
- Sep 24 Guterres delivered his final UN General Assembly address, warning of deepening technological and geopolitical divides.
- Sep 25 President Pezeshkian linked the Strait of Hormuz dispute to U.S. sanctions and the naval blockade in his UN address.
- Sep 25 Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian arrived in New York, the first Iranian head of state to set foot in the United States.
- Sep 26 Iran awaited an official U.S. reply to its UN‑transmitted peace initiative.
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