Trump says US-Iran talks gain 'momentum,' hints at deal after midterms

US President Donald Trump said on the sidelines of the 81st UN General Assembly in New York that talks between the United States and Iran have gained “momentum” and could lead to a deal. The remarks came on September 22, 2026, following a multi-hour, mediated meeting between representatives of both countries that reportedly lasted around three hours. The development is significant because it comes amid an ongoing war between the US and Iran that began in February 2026, and reportedly marks the first direct talks since a ceasefire collapsed in June.

According to Trump, his special envoy Steve Witkoff and his son-in-law Jared Kushner met with Iranian mediators. Trump described the meeting as “very good” and “very productive,” adding that another meeting was scheduled for the near future. He also said that “a lot of good thoughts” had been presented during the discussion. No detailed content of the negotiations has been made public so far.

At the same time, Trump’s public remarks in his address to the UN General Assembly were notably harsher. There, he threatened to “annihilate” Iran if no deal is reached and said he faced a “big decision.” He also suggested that a resolution with Iran might not come until after the US midterm elections in November, though possibly sooner — acknowledging himself that he did not know for certain. Iran’s Armed Forces dismissed the threat as “propaganda” in a statement.

Reports indicate that Tehran is tying diplomatic progress to specific demands: the lifting of shipping blockades and the unfreezing of Iranian assets. A report from Al Jazeera describes these issues — including the opening of the Strait of Hormuz — as part of the discussions held in New York. This suggests the talks concern not only ending military hostilities but also economic and infrastructure-related issues of significant importance to both sides.

News of the talks had an immediate effect on financial markets: oil prices fell after Trump described the discussions as “very productive.” Brent crude dropped to $98.91 per barrel, while the US benchmark West Texas Intermediate fell to $89.93 — both figures below the symbolic $100 mark that had repeatedly been breached since the Middle East war began in February. The decline suggests market participants interpreted the negotiations as a possible sign of de-escalation.

Parallel to the Iran talks, Trump also held discussions in Washington with Chinese President Xi Jinping, where US arms sales to Taiwan were among the topics addressed. Despite pressure from China, Taiwan expressed confidence that American weapons deliveries would continue. These discussions took place around the same time as the Iran negotiations but are not directly connected to them in substance.

It remains unclear how solid the “momentum” described by Trump actually is. While some reports point to concrete progress and an already scheduled follow-up meeting, others emphasize the simultaneous threats issued by Trump and the uncertainty surrounding the timing of any potential agreement. The precise positions of both sides on key sticking points — such as the Strait of Hormuz, frozen assets, or a possible ceasefire mechanism — have not yet been disclosed in detail.

It remains to be seen whether the announced follow-up meeting between US and Iranian representatives will actually take place, and whether it will lead to concrete steps toward a ceasefire or a lasting agreement. Both Trump’s political rhetoric and the market reaction in oil prices suggest that the international community is likely to closely watch developments in the coming days and weeks.