US to Iran in New York talks: 'You don't control the Strait of Hormuz at all'

The United States and Iran held their first round of indirect negotiations in New York in three months, during which the Americans rejected Tehran's demands to open the Strait of Hormuz and replied that Iran does not control the strait.

According to the report, the indirect talks took place on Tuesday in New York in separate rooms. American envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff were in one room and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi was in another, while Qatari mediators, led by Ali Al-Thani, moved between the rooms and conveyed messages between the parties.

Iranian representatives conveyed their conditions for resuming negotiations and opening the Strait of Hormuz, conditions identical to those Iran published publicly in recent days, with no new messages from Tehran. According to the report, the Iranians told the American representatives: 'We will open the Strait of Hormuz if you implement our demands within a week.'

The United States replied with a message that cast doubt on Tehran's influence in the region: 'Sorry, but you don't control the Strait of Hormuz at all. We don't understand exactly why you think you have any standing in this matter.'

According to a source familiar with the mediation details, the contacts continue and similar meetings may take place even before the UN General Assembly ends this week. The mediators are now awaiting a response from President Trump, who will have to decide whether to continue negotiations or turn in a different direction.