Secretary of State Marco Rubio said U.S. negotiators had restarted conversations about Iran’s nuclear program through side talks at a UN summit, but reported no breakthroughs. The discussions involved Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, who were carrying out President Trump’s orders to continue dialogue with Iran. Rubio emphasized that Iran’s control of the Strait of Hormuz must be addressed in any negotiations, noting it resulted from the conflict that began when the U.S. and Israel attacked Iran in February.

Witkoff, Trump’s special envoy to the Middle East, and Kushner, the president’s son-in-law and businessman, met with Iran’s foreign minister Abbas Araghchi in a Qatar-mediated session. Rubio described the talks as a continuation of past conversations, not a major breakthrough, but significant for reopening communication. He expressed skepticism that Iran’s hard-line leaders, who uphold the legacy of the 1979 revolution, would commit to deals.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, which consolidated power after leadership losses in the war, sees itself as the guardian of Iran’s revolution and controls ultimate decision-making. Iran’s foreign ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei outlined conditions for reviving diplomacy, including ending the U.S. naval blockade, releasing frozen assets, and halting hostilities. Rubio reiterated that Iran had violated a June memorandum of understanding, which Trump has backed away from, seeking a new approach.