US and Iran Hold Parallel Talks With Mediators in Fresh Ceasefire Bid

On the same day, American and Iranian officials separately engaged Qatari mediators to discuss an amended Iranian proposal for ending seven months of war. Trump rejected Iran's terms but signaled willingness to continue negotiations.

US and Iranian officials spoke separately with mediators on Monday, September 28, as part of a renewed effort to end seven months of war. Qatari mediators conducted the separate talks, with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi meeting in New York while US representatives engaged elsewhere. The war began in late February when US and Israeli attacks on Iran killed thousands and disrupted global energy markets by choking the Strait of Hormuz. Both sides are negotiating around Iran's amended seven-day proposal, presented at the UN General Assembly last week. Iran's plan calls for an end to all hostilities in Iran and Lebanon, unfreezing of billions in Iranian assets, lifting of sanctions on Iranian oil, and removal of the US naval blockade on Iranian ports. In return, Iran would reopen the Strait of Hormuz and resume talks on Iran's nuclear program and uranium enrichment. Trump publicly rejected Iran's proposal on Saturday, claiming Tehran wants a swift deal due to economic pressure and asserting that US forces maintain total control of the strait with substantial daily oil flows. Yet on Sunday he told Axios that he expected further US-Iran talks this week. Araqchi responded that mediators had not formally conveyed a US rejection to Iran and that his government awaited Washington's definitive position before deciding next steps. The two sides remain far apart on core issues. Iran wants negotiations focused on the Strait and the US blockade, while the Trump administration is demanding nuclear concessions. The US and Iran have twice previously agreed to ceasefires in mediated talks—in April and June—but both agreements quickly unraveled. Oil markets remain disrupted after seven months of conflict, with flows through the critical strait at roughly 80 percent of pre-war levels.

How could this affect you

Traced by who's actually in the path of this — not everyone is.

Likely

Global energy traders and oil importers

If negotiations collapse again, the Strait of Hormuz could remain effectively closed or heavily disrupted, maintaining elevated oil prices and limiting supplies to dependent markets. Current pricing reflects unresolved uncertainty about resolution timing.

Possible

Iranian leadership and military

Breakdown in talks could signal need for escalated military action to regain leverage over shipping lanes and assert sovereignty, or alternatively force acceptance of unfavorable terms as economic pressure mounts.

Likely

US regional allies in the Gulf

Prolonged war with no resolution timeline affects defense spending, naval deployments, and bilateral security arrangements. A ceasefire could reduce military commitments and allow diplomatic normalization with Iran.

Off-Lens

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3 articles · 3 countries · via GDELT

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🇵🇰Pakistan

33%

🇮🇳firstpost.com 🇵🇰minutemirror.com.pk 🇨🇦energynow.ca

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🇺🇸 United States🇮🇷 Iran

Chanakya's Move

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Trump is testing whether Iran's economic desperation will force acceptance of US nuclear demands. By publicly rejecting the Iranian proposal while signaling continued talks, he maintains negotiating pressure and prevents Iran from claiming a win—while keeping the door open should Iran concede on his core terms. Iran, for its part, is attempting to narrow the agenda to maritime and sanctions issues, hoping economic pain will eventually force Trump to prioritize strait reopening over nuclear concessions. The pattern of agreement followed by collapse suggests fundamental gaps remain unresolved. Qatari mediation continues because neither side wishes to be seen as the aggressor in breakdown, and both recognize the mutual cost of continued war.