Top Iranian and US officials held talks at the UN in New York on Tuesday, mediated by Qatar, marking the first such contact since a June ceasefire collapsed. The meeting involved Iran's foreign minister and US President Donald Trump's envoy Steve Witkoff. No breakthrough was reported.

In his address to the UN General Assembly, Trump threatened to "annihilate" the Islamic Republic if no deal is reached, saying he could "drive them into hell." He spent much of his speech justifying the war with Iran, arguing it prevented Tehran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. Trump said he believed a deal would come right after November's Congressional elections.

Iran repeated its demand for the US to end its "acts of aggression." Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei, quoted by state broadcaster IRNA, said negotiations took place through a Qatari mediator who communicated Tehran's conditions, including an end to the war on all fronts.

Witkoff confirmed on X that talks were held "through the mediators, who shuttled between the two sides throughout the day." He said they "successfully completed a round of discussions that we hope will prove constructive and promising." The conflict began on 28 February with US and Israeli air strikes on Iran. Iran responded by attacking Israel and US bases in the Gulf, and blocking the Strait of Hormuz.

The closure of the strait, through which 20% of the world's oil and LNG passed, has caused wild price fluctuations. The US has maintained a blockade of Iranian ports, disrupting Iran's economy. Trump has threatened sanctions against any country trading with Iran. Iran insists the US and Israel end their war, including against Hezbollah in Lebanon. Yemen's Houthis have intensified attacks on Saudi Arabia, escalating the conflict.

Source: www.bbc.co.uk