US open to talks with Iran at UN, Rubio says

US Senator Marco Rubio announced that Washington is open to holding talks with Iran on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, but emphasized that no meeting is currently scheduled between the two sides. Meanwhile, a senior Iranian official said that Iran’s delegation in New York has full authority to revive diplomatic efforts, and that Tehran could reopen the Strait of Hormuz within seven days under certain conditions.

Speaking on NBC News’ “Today” program on Tuesday, Rubio said: “We are open to that. I don’t think anything is scheduled at the moment, but we are certainly open to such a thing, especially if it could lead to a positive outcome and ultimately achieve the intended goal.”

The US senator clarified that the aim of any negotiations is to ensure Iran cannot acquire a nuclear weapon, stating: “Simply put, they cannot.”

Conversely, the senior Iranian official, as quoted by Reuters, said that the United States must formally declare its willingness to resolve the issue diplomatically before agreeing on a timeline to proceed. He confirmed that the Iranian delegation currently attending the UN General Assembly has full authority to revive diplomacy with Washington.

The official added that Tehran would welcome a revival of diplomatic efforts if Washington takes concrete steps.

Regarding the upcoming meetings in New York, the official explained that Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, who left Tehran for New York on Tuesday morning, will not meet US President Donald Trump at the UN headquarters.

He noted that details of an agreement to end hostilities with Washington could be discussed in New York through intermediaries, adding that Tehran submitted its proposal on this matter to the US side via intermediaries on September 16.

On the Strait of Hormuz, the Iranian official said Iran could reopen the waterway within seven days if the United States eases military pressure and lifts the blockade on Iranian ports.

These statements come as Iran’s central military command issued a warning on Sunday, saying it had received information that the United States is preparing to resume military operations with support from regional countries, and warned that such actions would prompt a retaliatory response from Tehran without restraint or consideration.

The Iranian official described the UN General Assembly meetings as a “golden opportunity for the United States to return to diplomacy,” reaffirming Tehran’s readiness to revive diplomatic efforts if Washington takes tangible steps.