Washington, Tehran complete round of talks at UNGA, Witkoff says

U.S. Special Envoy for Peace Missions Steve Witkoff announced that the United States and Iran concluded a round of "lengthy" indirect talks at the United Nations General Assembly, with mediators facilitating discussions. Concurrently, Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps spokesman Hossein Mohebi stated that Tehran has toughened its negotiating stance, demanding the upfront release of $24 billion in frozen assets and the inclusion of the Yemen issue, specifically lifting the blockade on Houthi rebels, in any future agreement. Mohebi referenced the collapse of a July Memorandum of Understanding, stating, "We are not their playthings, and they cannot unilaterally violate an agreement they signed whenever they please." U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio described Iran's leaders as "lunatic clerics" and warned against a nuclear Iran, while President Trump indicated he faces a "big decision" between a deal and annihilating the Iranian regime, suggesting a deal might occur after U.S. midterm elections.