US, Iran officials hold three-hour UN meeting

President Trump said Tuesday that U.S. officials met for three hours with Iranian officials on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. The talks took place during the UNGA’s opening session on 27 September, a rare window for back‑channel diplomacy. Trump described the meeting as “very good” and “very productive” when asked by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during a bilateral meeting.

The meeting comes after years of stalled talks over Iran’s nuclear programme. The 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action was abandoned in 2018 when the United States withdrew and re‑imposed sanctions. Since then, Iran has tightened its nuclear activities, while the U.S. has sought a new agreement that limits enrichment and guarantees inspections. The UNGA offers a neutral venue where both sides can test ideas without the pressure of a formal negotiation table.

Trump’s remarks suggest that the delegation included senior U.S. diplomats, likely the Deputy Secretary of State, and Iranian representatives such as the deputy foreign minister. The three‑hour session covered key issues: potential sanction relief, nuclear safeguards, and regional security. The meeting was conducted in a quiet conference room on the UN campus, and it was held while Trump was also meeting Zelensky, underscoring the busy agenda of the U.N. leaders. Analysts note that the U.S. is looking for a pathway to lift some of its toughest sanctions, which would ease Iran’s economic pressure and open the door to a fresh nuclear deal.

If the talks prove fruitful, the next step will be a formal proposal to the U.S. Congress and the Iranian parliament. The U.S. would likely seek a phased lifting of sanctions tied to strict verification measures, while Iran would demand a broader economic package. The outcome could reshape the Middle East’s security dynamics and influence the U.N.’s role in nuclear non‑proliferation. The next UNGA session, set for early October, may provide a platform for further dialogue and a possible signing of a new agreement.