Trump-Iran talks: 'Very good meeting' in New York, explosion near Hormuz

Explosions were reported near Iran’s Qeshm Island even as an Iranian delegation held its first direct discussions with senior US officials in months on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

The talks came just hours after US President Donald Trump warned that he could “annihilate” the Islamic Republic if Washington and Tehran fail to reach an agreement to end the nearly seven-month conflict.

Trump said his envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner met Iranian officials for around three hours. Describing the engagement as “a very good meeting”, he said further discussions would take place in “the near future”.

Trump later said the Iranian representatives were “not the highest level, but it's something.”

Iranian state television reported that Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi was among the officials involved in the meeting. Witkoff said on X that the discussions took place through mediators moving between the US and Iranian delegations. He said he hoped the talks “will prove constructive and promising.”

Explosion reported near Qeshm Island

While the diplomatic engagement was under way, Iranian media reported hearing an explosion near Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran’s state news agency IRNA said the cause and impact of the blast were not immediately known. The island has previously seen reports of explosions since the US-Israeli war with Iran began in February.

The conflict has also affected global energy markets and worsened economic pressure on Iran, where the war has contributed to a currency crisis.

Trump leaves door open for further talks

The latest meeting followed months of stalled communication between Washington and Tehran after a ceasefire reached in June broke down. US and Iranian representatives later held separate indirect discussions with Qatari and Pakistani mediators in Doha in early July.

Earlier on Tuesday, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Trump was open to meeting Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian during the UN General Assembly.

“This is a president that will meet with anybody for the most part, because he believes that engaging with people is important if you're going to solve problems,” Rubio said on NBC's “Today” show. “It doesn't mean you're going to end up agreeing with them, but it's important.”

Trump also met leaders and senior officials from Gulf Cooperation Council countries and Jordan to discuss the conflict.

Trump issues stark warning

Addressing the UN General Assembly, Trump defended his decision to launch the war while urging Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and return to negotiations.

“I have a big decision to make,” Trump said. “Will a deal be made with Iran that lets them rebuild and create a far greater country than it ever was before, maybe one of the greatest in the Middle East or even the world. Or do I annihilate the Islamic Republic and do it quickly, never giving them a chance to kill and destroy people and countries again?”

“I have no interest in leaving dangers to grow for another day,” he added.