US and Iranian delegations in New York have moved from initial diplomatic
contact to technical-level consultations, with technical experts joining after
first-round meetings between US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, sources
told Al Jazeera. Qatar has mediated the talks for months. Iran has proposed a
conditional “7-day” plan: if the US lifts its blockade, Iran would reopen the
Strait of Hormuz — an accelerated alternative to a previously discussed 60-day
process. Core issues under discussion are sanctions relief, relaxation of limits
on Iranian oil exports, unfreezing Iranian assets, and future management of the
Strait of Hormuz, including whether Iran and Oman could resume some form of
joint management within a framework involving the US and regional states and
specific rules for US naval transits. Iranian delegates were initially denied US
visas but were later allowed to enter; sources say disagreements remain but
talks are making some progress and continue.
