US and Iran Hold 3-Hour Talks as Middle East Diplomacy Hangs in the Balance

[Anchor]

The United States and Iran have held a surprise meeting in New York, where the UN General Assembly is currently taking place. This comes three months after their previous talks on ending the war, which were held in Switzerland last June. Let us connect to New York to find out more about whether progress toward ending the conflict is within reach.

Correspondent Kim Hyunwoo, what kind of discussions took place between the US and Iran?

[Reporter]

Because the meeting was held behind closed doors and President Trump made a surprise announcement following it, specific details of the conversation have not been disclosed.

[Donald Trump / US President : The meeting lasted for three hours. It was a very good and highly productive meeting. Another meeting is scheduled for the near future.]

The US was represented by Steve Witkoff, Special Envoy for the Middle East, while Iran was represented by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. The two delegations did not hold direct face-to-face talks, instead communicating through intermediaries.

It is understood that Iran conveyed its willingness to open the Strait of Hormuz within a week if the US lifts its military pressure and economic sanctions.

[Anchor]

Does this mean we can view an agreement between the US and Iran as imminent?

[Reporter]

Earlier, in his UN General Assembly speech, President Trump harshly criticized Iran, stating that whether it faces total annihilation or reconstruction depends entirely on his decision.

[Donald Trump / US President : I have to make a major decision—whether to reach an agreement so Iran can rise again and become a much greater nation than before, or to swiftly and completely destroy the Iranian regime.]

During this speech, the Iranian delegation walked out.

Even so, the fact that the New York talks took place and that Trump has signaled a follow-up meeting suggests a continued commitment to a diplomatic solution.

However, following its blockade of maritime routes blocking Iranian oil tankers, the US has also begun closing off airspace today, preventing aircraft from flying to and from Iran.

This is seen as an effort to ramp up pressure to secure a favorable agreement for the US. In response, Iran's hardline military leadership has pushed back against the US, warning that a "destructive and unpredictable blow" is prepared.

Shortly, Iranian President Pezeshkian is scheduled to address the UN General Assembly, which will provide a clearer gauge of the future trajectory of negotiations.

[Anchor]

We also received reports that Chinese President Xi Jinping has departed for the US. When is he expected to arrive?

[Reporter]

According to Korean time, President Xi Jinping will arrive in the US tomorrow morning.

A US-China summit is scheduled to be held in Washington on the 24th local time.

While there are many other agenda items such as AI and trade, the Iranian issue is also expected to be a major topic given China's substantial influence over Iran.

Driven by expectations surrounding the negotiations to end the war, international oil prices initially fell before turning upward shortly ago, currently fluctuating around the 100 dollar mark.

(Photo: Lee Hee-hoon | Video Editing: Cho Moo-hwan)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.