Wednesday 23 September 2026 07:30 UTC
US and Iran Hold First Direct Talks Since Framework Collapsed
US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner met Iranian officials at the UN, in what Iranian media called the first direct talks since an earlier negotiating framework collapsed. Donald Trump described the meeting as productive. Iran maintained that Washington must lift its shipping blockade, release frozen Iranian assets and end attacks on allied groups before it reopens the Strait of Hormuz. Oil prices fell on claims that reopening could happen within seven days, although Iranian sources disputed that timetable.
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Saudi Arabia was preparing to restart oil exports from Yanbu after restoring its damaged East-West Pipeline, Reuters said. Brent approached $100, but US diesel reached a record $6.527 a gallon, up from $3.688 a year earlier. Bank of America estimated that Hormuz flows remained four million to eight million barrels a day below pre-war levels and raised its second-half Brent forecast from $83 to $95.
The United States, Denmark and Greenland signed an agreement giving Washington complete oversight of security decisions in Greenland and providing for two new US bases. The deal follows earlier negotiations that ruled out transferring ownership of the island.
Volodymyr Zelensky proposed a reciprocal energy ceasefire covering electricity, heating and water systems. He said Washington would present it to Moscow. After meeting Trump, Zelensky said they also discussed a winter air-defence package and plans to produce Patriot interceptor missiles in Ukraine. He said Ukrainian intelligence indicated that Russia was preparing another large attack. Separately, Ukraine welcomed a €90 billion EU loan and said it was meeting the conditions attached to it.