Iranian-American talks in New York seeking a gradual path to end the war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz
Iranian-American talks in New York seeking a gradual path to end the war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz
2026-09-25
Shafaq News – Follow-up
Sources familiar with the Iranian-American talks revealed on Friday that negotiators from both countries are looking for a gradual path out of the war, which includes Tehran reopening the Strait of Hormuz and Washington lifting the economic embargo imposed on the Islamic Republic .
Hormuz has become the main bargaining chip in efforts to end the nearly seven-month-long trade war between Washington and Tehran, as Iran seeks to get rid of the American embargo that is strangling its economy, while Washington wants to ensure that ships can pass freely through the global oil supply route that Tehran is currently blockading.
Reuters quoted Iranian, regional and Western sources as saying that the talks are running into a difficult obstacle, namely the unwillingness of either side to be the first to concede, but Iran, despite its rigid stance, is aware of the economic cost of a prolonged confrontation.
A senior Iranian official stated that the most realistic way to end this impasse is through a gradual arrangement, whereby Iran would allow navigation in the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for the United States lifting its economic blockade, with Tehran potentially receiving frozen assets.
Speaking on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly meetings, the official added, “One possible way forward is to resolve the crisis in stages, starting with ending the blockade and reopening the Strait of Hormuz.”
This will require the approval of US President Donald Trump for another temporary solution, after an initial understanding collapsed last July.
Sources say the main challenge facing negotiators is not just outlining an agreement, but also ensuring that any concessions are sustainable enough to inspire confidence in both sides.
Trump expressed his belief that the United States and Iran could reach an agreement after the midterm congressional elections scheduled for November 3.
A senior European official said the Iranians “have a very long list of demands ” .
A White House official explained that while “Iran is desperately seeking an agreement, President Trump is in charge and will make the decision that is best for the United States.”
He added that Trump remains “open to dialogue with Iran under the right circumstances,” but is not driven by an urgent need to negotiate, noting that the United States is in a “very strong position” thanks to its control of the Strait of Hormuz and with an Iranian economy “crumbling”.
The official stated that “the crushing sanctions and one of the most successful blockades in history” have crippled the Iranian economy and completely bankrupted the Islamic Republic.
He noted that Trump prefers to let the “inevitable Iranian collapse” take its course rather than allow Tehran to manipulate and deceive.
Former US negotiator Dennis Ross said he believes the chance of reaching an agreement before the elections is no more than 30%, but added that both sides may have stronger reasons to reach an agreement before the midterm elections rather than after.
Ross added, “The embargo is what’s really putting pressure on the Iranians. It’s suffocating them.”
Reaching an agreement before the midterm elections could benefit Trump, as reopening the Strait of Hormuz could ease tensions in the Gulf, curb rising oil prices, and help lower gasoline prices in the United States, a politically sensitive issue.
Iran’s chances of obtaining much-needed economic relief may be stronger at a time when Trump still has a greater political incentive to reach an agreement.
Ross believes that the constraints on Trump may diminish after the midterm elections, and he may then be more willing to intensify pressure or even consider military options.
The pressure tactics that brought Washington and Tehran back to the negotiating table could, in themselves, make reaching a settlement more difficult.
Washington possesses leverage that can inflict the greatest damage on Tehran, which in turn controls access to this vital energy corridor. Neither side is willing to relinquish its bargaining chips without receiving something tangible in return.
This means that the midterm elections may not be the end of the deadline for diplomacy in general, but rather a deadline for conditions that allow diplomatic efforts to continue.
If Washington and Tehran fail to turn these issues into an agreement before the midterm elections , the window for diplomatic solutions may narrow and the risk of escalation may increase .
The Iranian official said that even as Tehran seeks a diplomatic way out, it is preparing for the possibility of renewed war with Washington, accusing the United States of using economic sanctions and threats of force as tools of coercion.
The senior Iranian official added, “Our fingers are on the trigger. The Americans know what they have to do, but the chances of resolving the crisis through diplomacy are very slim because of their excessive demands.”
Regional sources indicated that Tehran is prepared to drop its demand for payment of fees for crossing the Strait of Hormuz from the core agreement, and instead place this demand in a side annex, given that ending the blockade has become a more urgent priority.
The Gulf states reject the proposal to pay transit fees. Regional sources indicated that any arrangement would be temporary and would not constitute a formal abandonment of Iran’s position.
The United States is tightening the noose on the Iranian economy by imposing new sanctions in addition to the embargo that has strangled its oil exports, a vital source of hard currency.
This month, Washington targeted Iran’s remaining commercial airlines and their support networks, as part of a campaign aimed at cutting off the economic lifelines of the government and the powerful Revolutionary Guard .
Trump warned that the Iranian economy could ” rot ” without an agreement .
He said, “Iran’s primary focus is not on imposing fees in the Strait of Hormuz, but rather on maintaining its administrative control over the waterway.”
He added, “Iran may be willing to postpone the issue of fees, but it will not give up administrative control over the Strait.”
A key point of tension is undermining the ongoing diplomatic efforts in New York. Washington wants to exert pressure to extract concessions, while Tehran wants the pressure lifted before any concessions are made. The Gulf states, for their part, want to resolve the dispute without allowing the region’s strategic waterways to become permanent bargaining chips.
During a separate meeting with Trump in New York , Gulf leaders sought clarification on Washington’s final plan after the midterm elections , including whether the United States would resume military action if Iran refused to return to negotiations .
Regional sources stated that they expressed their collective rejection of any Iranian control over the Strait of Hormuz, stressing the need to restore freedom of navigation and prevent the strategic waterway from becoming a tool for pressure and coercion against the Gulf states.
However, Gulf leaders, along with their warnings regarding the Strait of Hormuz, have pressed hard for easing tensions and initiating a political process, reflecting the region’s determination to distance itself from any further conflict between the United States and Iran.
“It is still unclear what Trump’s final plan is, or what the alternative to the current pressure campaign is,” said Ebtisam Al-Ketbi, president of the Emirates Policy Center.
She added: “In contrast , the Iranians know what they want . They are reshaping the regional landscape through the Straits of Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb with a clear objective , while Washington has yet to define its roadmap . ”
The uncertainty is also affecting Tehran’s calculations. Danny Citrinovitch, a regional analyst and former Israeli military intelligence officer, said the New York talks did not change the fundamental positions of either side, and that Iran is unlikely to back down as long as it believes Trump wants to avoid a wider escalation before the midterm elections.
Alan Eyre, a former US negotiator on Iran, said, “The sanctions are hurting them, but instead of softening their stance, they are likely to escalate because they believe that softening their stance would mean their demise.”
A Western official familiar with the talks added, “The whole issue is about opening the Strait of Hormuz. We are all under internal pressure, and the Iranians are aware of that.”
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