Iran war live: Trump confirms ‘very good’ meeting with Iran at UN

President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that U.S. officials held a “very good” meeting with the Iranian delegation at the United Nations in New York, confirming that both sides exchanged remarks on the nuclear issue and regional security. The brief statement came after a closed‑door session on the fourth floor of the UN Secretariat, where senior State Department officials and senior Iranian diplomats discussed a possible return to dialogue after years of tension.

The meeting is notable because it marks the first direct contact between Washington and Tehran at the UN since the United States pulled out of the 2015 nuclear accord in 2018. Trump’s administration had imposed sweeping sanctions on Iran after accusing it of supporting militant groups and pursuing a clandestine weapons program. In the months leading up to the meeting, Iran launched a series of missile tests that alarmed U.S. allies, while Washington increased naval patrols in the Persian Gulf. Both sides have faced growing pressure from allies and the International Atomic Energy Agency to revive a framework that could limit Iran’s enrichment capacity and lift economic restrictions. The UN has been a forum for back‑channel talks, and Trump’s public endorsement of the session signals a shift from the more cautious approach taken by the Biden administration, which has emphasized multilateral pressure.

State Department spokesperson John Kelley said the United States welcomed the constructive tone of the talks and will continue to pursue “peaceful solutions” through diplomatic channels. Iran’s foreign ministry called the exchange “a positive step toward easing regional tensions,” but did not commit to any specific concessions. Experts warn that while the meeting could pave the way for renewed negotiations, hardliners on both sides may resist compromise. The next round of talks is expected to be scheduled for the upcoming UN General Assembly in September, where senior officials from both countries are likely to meet again. If progress is made, it could reshape the nuclear landscape in the Middle East and affect global oil markets, but any breakthrough will depend on how quickly sanctions are eased and verification mechanisms are agreed upon.