Daijiworld Media Network - Doha
Doha, Sep 29: Qatari mediators are expected to hold separate talks with Iran and the United States on Monday or Tuesday as diplomatic efforts intensify to end the ongoing conflict.
An official briefed on the negotiations told Reuters that the discussions are expected to focus on an amended version of Iran's seven-day proposal, which US President Donald Trump had initially rejected.
The mediators are expected to meet Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi, who remains in New York, while the participants representing the US side have not been disclosed.
Iran's semi-official ISNA news agency later confirmed that Araqchi would meet the mediators in New York on Monday morning. It said the discussions would focus on examining "the latest proposals and views regarding the current situation".
Later on Monday, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei told state media that Araqchi's stay in New York had not been extended and that the foreign minister would return to Tehran as originally scheduled. Baghaei did not comment on the planned talks with the Qatari mediators.
Iran's seven-day proposal calls for an end to hostilities in Iran and Lebanon, the unfreezing of billions of dollars in Iranian assets, the lifting of sanctions on Iranian oil and the removal of the US blockade on Iranian ports.
In return, Tehran would allow the Strait of Hormuz to reopen, while Iran and the US would resume negotiations on Iran's nuclear programme.
Trump said on Saturday that he had rejected Iran's proposal, arguing that Tehran was seeking a quick agreement due to the severe economic pressure it was facing.
However, in an interview with Axios on Sunday, Trump said he expected US negotiators to hold further talks this week.
Araqchi said on Sunday that Iran had not formally received any communication from the mediators conveying a US rejection of its proposal. He said Tehran was awaiting Washington's definitive position before deciding on its next steps.
The latest diplomatic efforts come amid attempts by Qatar to facilitate dialogue between Tehran and Washington and explore a possible framework to halt hostilities and revive negotiations over Iran's nuclear programme.