US envoy reports extensive talks with Iran delegation at UN General Assembly
US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff said he held lengthy negotiations with Iran's delegation via mediators on the UN General Assembly sidelines, completing a round of discussions he hopes will be constructive.
Steve Witkoff, the United States special envoy for peace missions, posted on X that he and the Iranian delegation engaged in prolonged talks during the United Nations General Assembly, with mediators shuttling between the parties all day. He described the session as successfully concluded and expressed optimism that the dialogue will prove constructive. The mediators are expected to keep working on the process.
Why it matters
It indicates continued US-Iran diplomatic outreach despite regional tensions.
How this story developed
- Aug 28 Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkey launch Mecca Defence Alliance, secretariat set in Riyadh
- Sep 3 Greece delivered a diplomatic note to Turkey’s Foreign Ministry, instructed by Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis, contesting Turkish objections to Greek spatial planning frameworks and the creation of two national maritime parks. Athens maintains that international treaties define Aegean sovereignty and that Turkey’s own maritime park declarations overstep its jurisdiction. Both sides exchanged notes reiterating their positions, while Greece pledged to raise any unilateral Turkish actions with European partners. Despite tensions, intelligence chiefs met to keep security cooperation alive, and leaders plan to attend the UN General Assembly.
- Sep 6 Turkey reiterated its long‑standing claims over continental shelves.
- Sep 12 Chinese President Xi Jinping called on BRICS nations at the New Delhi summit to support peace initiatives in the Middle East, saying the war harms the international community.
- Sep 13 Pakistan reiterated that no immediate military response under the Makkah pact is being discussed.
- Sep 13 Leaders adopted a 140‑point New Delhi Declaration covering security, trade, climate and technology issues.
- Sep 13 The Greek prime minister publicly called for dialogue with Turkey while maintaining a formal protest over Turkey’s maritime park claims.
- Sep 13 Day 2 of the summit focused on PM Modi’s four‑pillar BRICS agenda, early‑warning and disaster systems, AI, digital agriculture, supply chains and startups.
- Sep 13 President Xi outlined proposals for a BRICS AI Open Source Zone and a China‑hosted service‑trade forum.
- Sep 17 U.S. intelligence officials warn that the planned sale of 48 F-35 jets to Saudi Arabia may enable China to obtain classified radar and intelligence systems.
- Sep 17 Washington has moved from earlier concerns to signaling support for the Saudi F‑35 package.
- Sep 18 State Department formally informed Congress of the intended sale.
- Sep 19 India unveiled a BRICS Logistics Supply Chain Cooperation Framework during the summit.
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