World leaders descended on New York this week for the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), offering a rare opportunity for allies and adversaries to get to grips with some of the thorniest issues. Top of the agenda for many was the Middle East crisis, but talks between the US, its Gulf allies and Iran have offered few signs that the stalemate can be broken any time soon.
The US and Iran held indirect talks in New York, with Qatar acting as an intermediary, but there are no indications that either party was willing to compromise on conditions. Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said: “Iran’s positions and conditions for reviving diplomacy in a manner that leaves no doubt or ambiguity and provides no excuses or pretexts for any party were conveyed to the American side.” (CONTINUED - 1118 WORDS)
