ASIa Desk News. British Reuters reported on Tuesday (Sep 29) citing US and Iranian officials that US and Iranian officials held separate meetings with mediators on Monday, as part of renewed efforts to end the seven-month war.

(Screenshot Source: Reuters)

An official briefed on the negotiations told Reuters that any follow-up talks are expected to center on a revised veRSIon of Iran’s "seven-day plan" put forward during last week’s UN General Assembly.

The war broke out in late February when the United States and Israel launched attacks on Iran. Over the past seven months, the conflict has killed thousands of people. Meanwhile, global markets have suffered massive shocks as the waterway vital to global oil shipping remains blocked.

The United States and Iran had previously reached two ceasefire agreements through mediated peace talks in April and June respectively, yet both deals collapsed shortly afterwards.

Iran’s state news agency IRNA reported that Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi, who remained in New York after attending the UN General Assembly, said Iran expects to receive Washington’s response to its latest ceasefire proposal and the US reply on conditions for restoring maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz.

Araqchi stated: "If the Americans claim they are seeking an agreement or peaceful solution, then we have already put forward that solution."

US President Donald Trump told reporters at the White House on Monday that US officials also held separate talks with mediators on the same day, without disclosing further details.

Trump has hinted that further negotiations will take place this week.

Iran’s "seven-day plan" envisages an end to all hostilities in Iran and Lebanon, alongside the unfreezing of billions of dollars of Iranian assets, removal of sanctions on Iranian oil, and lifting of the US blockade on Iranian ports.

In return, Iran would then allow the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical shipping lane for global oil tankers.

At the same time, the US and Iran will resume negotiations on Iran’s nuclear programme, as well as consultations over Trump’s demand to seize or destroy Iran’s highly enriched uranium.

Trump said last Saturday that he had rejected Iran’s proposal, adding Iran wanted a quick deal because the country was under heavy economic pressure.

Nevertheless, Trump said in an Axios interview on Sunday that he expects US negotiators to hold further talks this week.

Araqchi said on Sunday that mediators had not formally conveyed Washington’s rejection of the plan to Iran. Tehran is waiting for the United States’ final position before deciding on next steps.

Araqchi stated on Sunday: "Our conditions are crystal clear. Any reopening of the Strait of Hormuz hinges on these conditions being fulfilled."

He also stressed that only a negotiated settlement can break the current deadlock.