US and Iran hold first talks since June after Trump’s ‘annihilation’ threat

New York, USA, September 23, 2026 — The United States and Iran have held their first talks since June, hours after US President Donald Trump warned at the United Nations that he could “annihilate” Iran if Washington and Tehran failed to reach a deal.

The talks took place on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York and were conducted through Qatari mediators, who moved between the two sides during the discussions. US special envoy Steve Witkoff later said a round of talks had been completed and that mediators would continue their work.

Trump said US officials had held a three-hour meeting with the Iranian delegation and described it as “very productive.” Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi also met Witkoff, according to Iranian state media.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei said Tehran had conveyed its conditions through the Qatari mediator, including an end to what Iran calls US “acts of aggression” and an end to the war on all fronts.

The talks came after Trump told the UN General Assembly on Tuesday that he faced a choice between reaching a deal with Iran and “annihilating” the Islamic Republic. He said he believed a deal could be reached, potentially after the US midterm elections in November.

The renewed diplomatic contact follows the collapse of a ceasefire in June. The conflict has included US and Israeli strikes on Iran, Iranian attacks on Israel and US bases in the Gulf, and disruption around the Strait of Hormuz.

The Strait of Hormuz has remained a major point of tension. Iran has restricted passage through the waterway, while the United States has maintained a blockade of Iranian ports. The disruption has affected energy markets because a significant share of global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments previously passed through the strait.

Trump has also threatened sanctions against countries that continue trading with Iran as Washington seeks to pressure Tehran into an agreement. Iran has continued to insist that the US and Israel end their military campaign.