TRUMP CONFIRMS US AND IRAN HELD THREE HOUR MEETING AS PUSH FOR DEAL INTENSIFIES

NEW YORK, President Donald Trump confirmed Tuesday that American and Iranian officials held direct talks in New York, marking a significant diplomatic development in efforts to reach a settlement between Washington and Tehran.

Trump told reporters on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly that the talks lasted approximately three hours and described the meeting as very good and productive.

US special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner participated in the talks with an Iranian delegation, according to reports.

The meeting represents a major development after months of conflict and diplomatic uncertainty between the United States and Iran.

Trump said communication between the two sides was continuing and expressed optimism that an agreement could ultimately be reached.

He also indicated that another meeting was expected soon.

The talks came only hours after Trump delivered a sharply worded address to the UN General Assembly in which he warned Iran of severe military consequences if diplomatic efforts failed.

During his speech, Trump accused Tehran of behaving aggressively because it was weak and desperate and called for countries around the world to maintain economic pressure on the Islamic Republic.

Despite the confrontational rhetoric, Trump also left the door open to negotiations.

The president later told reporters that Iran wanted to talk and said the relationship between Washington and Tehran was developing through ongoing discussions.

Trump maintained, however, that preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon remained a central US condition.

The diplomatic activity comes amid efforts by regional governments to mediate between Washington and Tehran and find a path toward ending the conflict.

Earlier Tuesday, a senior Iranian official told Reuters that Tehran's delegation attending the UN General Assembly had been given full authority to pursue renewed diplomacy with the United States.

The official also said Iran could reopen the Strait of Hormuz within days if Washington eased military pressure and lifted its blockade on Iranian ports.

The Strait of Hormuz has become one of the most important issues in negotiations because of its importance to global energy supplies.

A significant share of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas shipments normally pass through the strategic waterway connecting the Persian Gulf with international markets.

Disruptions caused by the conflict have contributed to higher energy prices and intensified international pressure for a diplomatic solution.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian is also attending the UN General Assembly in New York, although Iranian officials previously said there were no plans for a direct meeting between Pezeshkian and Trump.

The talks between officials therefore provide an alternative diplomatic channel while the two presidents remain apart.

The meeting also represents a notable change from the situation earlier Tuesday, when reports suggested Washington and Tehran were moving closer to negotiations but no new direct encounter had been publicly confirmed.

Trump's announcement establishes that officials from the two countries have now met during the UN gathering.

Significant disagreements remain, particularly over Iran's nuclear programme, US military pressure, economic restrictions and the Strait of Hormuz.

No formal agreement was announced following Tuesday's meeting, and neither side has publicly disclosed detailed terms discussed during the three hour talks.

However, Trump's confirmation that another meeting is expected suggests negotiations could continue as world leaders remain gathered in New York.

The coming discussions could determine whether the diplomatic opening develops into a broader settlement or whether the confrontation between Washington and Tehran returns to military escalation.