Iran Says It Shared Conditions for Ending Conflict With US Through Qatar
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has criticised the positions taken by several European countries over the conflict involving Iran, the United States and Israel, while Tehran says it has communicated conditions for ending hostilities to Washington through Qatari mediation.
Araghchi made the remarks during separate meetings with Dutch and French officials on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
According to Iranian state media outlet IRNA, Araghchi told Dutch Foreign Minister Tom Berendsen that European countries could not, in Iran’s view, promote the rule of law and human rights while remaining silent about or supporting US and Israeli military actions against Iran.
The Iranian foreign minister also criticised what he described as inconsistent European positions on regional developments. He said that restoring stability would require an end to what Tehran considers unlawful US actions and respect for Iran’s national interests.
Berendsen highlighted the importance of diplomacy and discussed the Netherlands’ position on regional and international developments.
Iran Outlines Conditions Through Qatari Mediator
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said Tehran had communicated its conditions for ending the conflict to the United States through a Qatari mediator in New York.
IRNA reported that Iran’s conditions included an end to military operations, a halt to what Tehran describes as US aggression, an end to the naval blockade and economic pressure, and the release of Iranian assets.
US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff separately confirmed that American and Iranian representatives had held extended discussions through mediators during the UN General Assembly.
Witkoff said the mediators moved between the two sides throughout the day and described the discussions as constructive and potentially promising. He added that mediation efforts would continue.
Araghchi Raises Concerns With France
During another meeting with French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot, Araghchi criticised France’s approach to Iran and regional developments.
According to IRNA, the Iranian minister stressed that the French embassy should comply with Iranian laws and regulations.
Araghchi also objected to France’s position regarding the conflict and criticised French cooperation with US sanctions against Iran.
He said Tehran sought relations with other countries based on mutual respect and shared interests, while maintaining that Iran would protect its national interests.
South Pars Production Partially Restored
Iran has also reported progress in restoring production capacity at the South Pars gas field.
Deputy Oil Minister Ahmad Zeraatkar was quoted by semi-official Fars news agency as saying that around 50% of damaged production capacity had been restored.
Zeraatkar reportedly said the remaining restoration work was expected to be completed before winter. He had previously estimated in late August that approximately 40% of the affected capacity had returned to production.
Strait of Hormuz Traffic Remains Below Recent Average
Commercial shipping activity through the Strait of Hormuz remained below its recent average, according to preliminary tracking data.
Three commodity vessels were recorded transiting the waterway on Tuesday, compared with four the previous day and a 10-day average of about 15 vessels.
The figures can change because some vessels temporarily turn off their tracking systems.
The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most important energy shipping routes, with a significant share of global oil and gas shipments passing through the waterway.
US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that a deal with Iran could still be possible amid diplomatic efforts taking place during the UN General Assembly.
Meanwhile, 22 commodity vessels were recorded crossing the Bab el-Mandeb Strait on Tuesday. Of these, 14 were heading toward the Red Sea and eight toward the Gulf of Aden.
Fighting Reported in Yemen’s Taiz Province
Separately, Yemeni government forces said they had taken control of Mount Qarfan in southern Taiz province following clashes with Houthi forces.
Major General Abdulaziz Al-Majidi, chief of staff of the Taiz military axis, said government forces and allied local fighters had secured the strategic mountain position.
He claimed that more than five Houthi fighters were killed and around 20 others injured during the clashes. The Houthis had not immediately issued a response to the reported territorial loss.
Mount Qarfan is located along a mountainous area between the Ash Shamaytayn and Al-Wazi’iyah districts and is considered strategically important because of its elevated position.
The development comes amid continued fighting in parts of western Yemen. Separately, Yemeni forces said they had shot down a Saudi surveillance drone near Al-Mokha in Taiz province.
