Iraqi Official Heads to New York.. Trump's Threats Precede Possible Meeting

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Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi left Tehran on Sunday evening, heading to New York to participate in the United Nations General Assembly meetings, with a brief stop in the Qatari capital Doha before continuing his journey to the United States, according to the Tasnim news agency.

Araghchi's trip comes at a time when tensions are rising between Iran and the United States, coinciding with mixed signals from U.S. President Donald Trump, who has escalated his rhetoric towards Tehran but has also kept the possibility of a meeting with Iranian President Masoud Bezhakian open.

Trump stated in remarks during an interview with Fox News that he is in a "decision-making position" regarding Iran, and that he has options including continuing economic pressure or reaching an agreement, while also threatening that Iran could face destruction if it does not reach an agreement.

Despite the escalation in rhetoric, Trump said he would be open to meeting Bezhakian during the United Nations General Assembly meetings in New York this week, as the Iranian president and his foreign minister prepare to arrive in the city to participate in the international organization's meetings.

On the Iranian side, Bezhakian previously stated that Tehran does not close the door on a negotiated solution, but he linked the resumption of the diplomatic track to the United States returning to its commitments under the temporary understanding signed in June.

The Iranian president confirmed that his country would respond immediately if Washington returned to fulfilling its commitments, pointing out that war is not in the interest of any party, and that Tehran is still open to a solution reached through negotiation, according to what was reported by Reuters.

On September 12, Bezhakian stated that previous diplomatic efforts through Pakistan and Oman did not fail because of Tehran, affirming his country's readiness for dialogue if Washington adheres to its commitments.

Iranian forces had warned of the possibility of resuming war and launching attacks on Iranian territory, while the unified combat command of the Iranian armed forces stated in a statement today, Sunday, that "Tehran has received information indicating that the United States is preparing to resume combat operations."

This warning comes after Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf confirmed earlier today that his country conveyed its conditions to the American side for reopening the Strait of Hormuz through intermediaries. The chief Iranian negotiator stated, "Unless these conditions are met, the legitimate rights of the Iranian people are recognized, and American commitments are fulfilled, there will be no window to return to the previous negotiation conditions or to reopen the Strait of Hormuz," according to what was reported by IRNA.

Before that, the Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council of Iran, Mohsen Rezaei, confirmed that there would be no return to negotiations unless his country's seven conditions are met.

In a related context, efforts by mediators continue to bring Tehran and Washington back to the negotiating table. Iran has conveyed through Qatari mediators conditions for returning to talks, including ending the war on all fronts, releasing frozen Iranian funds, and ending the maritime blockade, according to Reuters.

Washington also allowed Bezhakian, Araqchi, and members of the main Iranian delegation to enter the United States to participate in the General Assembly meetings, despite the ongoing war between the two countries, in a move that comes amid intermittent diplomatic efforts to end the conflict, according to the Associated Press.

While New York prepares to welcome the Iranian delegation for the General Assembly meetings, the U.S.-Iranian path remains open to several possibilities, amid ongoing military threats on one side and a commitment to the possibility of negotiations on the other. Araqchi's arrival in New York at this time coincides with any potential meeting between Trump and Bezhakian being linked to developments in the negotiations and the positions of both parties in the coming days.