The United States and Iran held separate discussions with mediators on Monday as diplomatic efforts to end seven months of hostilities continued. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Qatari mediators presented ideas to Tehran that they would also take to Washington, with Iran expecting the US response through the mediators on Tuesday.
President Donald Trump confirmed that US officials had spoken separately with mediators but did not provide details. He said the conflict would end “one way or the other” and that it would go “pretty quickly”.
The renewed contacts come as Washington and Tehran remain divided over the terms of any agreement.
Trump denies reported concessions
Trump denied reports that he had offered Iran sanctions relief and the release of frozen funds in exchange for concrete nuclear concessions.
“This is untrue. I offered them NOTHING,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
The reported proposal had emerged as mediators from Qatar and Pakistan sought to facilitate indirect negotiations between Washington and Tehran. The two sides remain divided over nuclear restrictions, the Strait of Hormuz and the sequencing of commitments.
Iran proposal remains on table
Further discussions could focus on an amended version of Iran’s seven-day proposal presented on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly last week.
Tehran’s proposal called for an end to hostilities in Iran and Lebanon, the unfreezing of Iranian assets, an end to oil sanctions and the lifting of the US blockade on Iranian ports.
In return, Iran would allow the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and resume discussions over its nuclear programme and enriched uranium.
UK airbase investigation
Five men arrested near RAF Fairford in western England have been released on bail while remaining under investigation for suspected terrorism and explosives offences.
UK counterterrorism authorities are examining whether a foreign state could be involved. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio described the incident as a serious situation involving a “foreign actor”.
Iran has strongly denied any involvement, with its embassy in London rejecting speculation linking Tehran to the arrests.
Lebanon framework faces hurdles
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio met Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam as Washington sought to advance a 14-point framework agreed by Israel and Lebanon in June.
The framework calls for an end to fighting, an Israeli withdrawal from Lebanese territory, Lebanese control over its territory and the disarmament of non-state armed groups.
Further talks involving Israel, Lebanon and the United States are scheduled for October in Rome.
Gulf security and oil
Rubio also met Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud for broader security discussions that included Gulf defence coordination and maritime security in the Strait of Hormuz.
A senior US administration official said Washington would honour its defence agreement with Saudi Arabia if needed.
Meanwhile, Brent crude rose 0.6 percent to $105.91 a barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate gained 0.8 percent to $93.32, as supply disruption concerns persisted.
Other developments
Rubio said the Strait of Hormuz was open and that, excluding Iranian oil, oil flows were close to pre-war levels. He also warned that a nuclear-armed Iran could threaten control over regional energy supplies.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, meanwhile, told UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres that Tehran would continue pursuing accountability for what it described as US and Israeli war crimes. Guterres urged Tehran and Washington to continue diplomatic efforts.
