Trump puts Iran before... a very bad option or one that leads to greatness
- New U.S. sanctions target Iranian airlines and flights
- Tehran weighs U.S. response to its proposal
- Tasnim: Araghchi’s contact with Witkoff was a “major mistake”
- Pezeshkian warns against expanding the scope of the war... U.S. delegation walks out during his speech in New York
- New U.S. sanctions target Iranian airlines and flights
- Tehran weighs U.S. response to its proposal
- Tasnim: Araghchi’s contact with Witkoff was a “major mistake”
- Pezeshkian warns against expanding the scope of the war... U.S. delegation walks out during his speech in New York
New U.S. economic pressure on Iran coincides with signs of a diplomatic breakthrough aimed at ending the war in the Middle East. A new package of stringent sanctions targeting Iran’s aviation sector has taken effect, while the first talks between Washington and Tehran in New York in months have raised hopes that the two sides may make some progress toward ending their conflict, despite neither announcing any change in their positions.
During a meeting with leaders and representatives of Arab and Muslim countries in New York on the night of Tuesday into Wednesday, U.S. President Donald Trump said that envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner held an “excellent” three-hour meeting with an Iranian delegation in New York. However, he stated that Tehran faces two options: one that is extremely bad, and the other that leads to greatness.
He elaborated, “Both Steve and Jared had a very productive meeting (on Tuesday) with intermediaries representing Iran—just intermediaries to see where things go... These mediation efforts have been ongoing for some time, but I believe there is significant momentum toward reaching an agreement... That is what we are hearing from everyone.”
Trump also predicted during the meeting that the war would end after the U.S. midterm elections, asserting that Iran is completely economically isolated.
He said, “In Iran, we have completely eliminated the terrorist leadership and destroyed its economy. Inflation there is now at 300 percent, and its currency is collapsing... All of this is part of the process of ‘economic isolation.’”
He added, “A large part of what we have done—perhaps 99 percent of it—was aimed at ensuring that Iran does not possess a nuclear weapon. Some facilities have already been destroyed, and we may have to destroy another one, the Mount Pickaxe site... It is true that we are not currently observing significant activity there, but if we detect any activity, we will destroy it immediately.”
Trump stated that his administration supports developing alternative energy transport routes away from chokepoints threatened by Iran, including the India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor, as well as pipelines and other export routes.
The U.S. president also praised the role of Arab and Muslim leaders in reaching the Gaza agreement, noting that a similar meeting was held a year ago on the sidelines of the General Assembly and contributed to progress that, weeks later, led to what he described as a “historic peace agreement.”
Trump described the meeting participants as among the United States’ closest friends, allies, and partners, reaffirming his commitment to working with them toward a safer and more prosperous Middle East.
He thanked the leaders for their countries’ investments in the United States, stating that Washington has received investment commitments totaling $21 trillion, with the participating countries contributing a significant portion of that amount.
Regarding U.S.-Iranian communications in New York, Witkoff wrote on the social media platform X that he and Kushner held extensive talks with the Iranian delegation on the sidelines of the General Assembly meetings, with intermediaries shuttling between the two sides throughout Tuesday.
He added that “the round of discussions was successful,” expressing his hope that it would be “constructive and promising,” and affirming that the mediators would continue their work.
In Tehran, Iran’s state broadcaster cited Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi as telling Witkoff that Tehran’s demands include “the immediate lifting of the U.S. naval blockade, the prompt release of all frozen Iranian assets, and the end of the war on all fronts of the resistance.”
Earlier, some Iranian state media reported that Araghchi and Witkoff had met, but Iranian officials clarified to Reuters that the meeting was not face-to-face.
A senior Iranian official told Reuters that Tehran is reviewing the U.S. response to its proposal to end hostilities, but that significant differences remain between the two positions amid ongoing diplomatic efforts.
Tasnim News Agency reported that Araghchi’s contact with Witkoff took place without coordination with the relevant authorities, including the Supreme National Security Council.
It added, “Therefore, it is necessary for Araghchi to clarify to the relevant authorities and the Iranian people the circumstances of this erroneous step, which violates national interests and benefits, and to explain on what basis this major mistake was made.”
For his part, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian warned against expanding the scope of the war in the region, stating that this “will not achieve security” and that peace in Iran “will not come from the battlefield.” He affirmed that his country “needs nuclear energy, not a nuclear bomb,” reiterating Tehran’s stated position regarding the purpose of its program.
Pezeshkian also said, “Israel kills, and sanctions are imposed on Tehran. This is a double standard.”
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said that aviation service providers worldwide are prohibited from dealing with Iranian airlines, effective from Wednesday, under threat of exclusion from the dollar system.
In Iraq, a source at Al Jazeera reported that airports were notified to refuse the arrival of Iranian aircraft, while Iran’s Civil Aviation Authority announced the suspension of Iranian flights to Baghdad and Muscat airports.
In Muscat, the Indian embassy announced on Wednesday that an Indian citizen was killed in an attack on the vessel MV Cape Daw while it was en route to India.
It added that it is coordinating closely with Omani authorities regarding the safety of all crew members on board the ship, including 19 Indian nationals.
It further stated that a fire broke out on the ship as it drifted at sea, noting that all crew members were evacuated, with two injuries reported.
U.S. President Donald Trump met with leaders and representatives from Arab and Muslim countries in New York on the night of Tuesday into Wednesday. The attendees included the representative of His Highness Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, the Amir of Kuwait, His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Al-Khalid Al-Hamad Al-Sabah; the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani; the Jordanian King, King Abdullah II; the Syrian President, Ahmed al-Sharaa; the Turkish President, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan; the Prime Ministers of Egypt, Mostafa Madbouly; Iraq, Ali al-Zaidi; and Lebanon, Nawaf Salam; along with the UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed; the Saudi Foreign Minister, Prince Faisal bin Farhan; the Bahraini Foreign Minister, Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani; and the Omani Ambassador to the United States, Thalay bin Sulaiman Al-Rahbi.
