US envoy to UN says 'door is open' for Iran to return to negotiations

NEW YORK — Mike Waltz, US ambassador to the United Nations, said on Sunday that the “door is open” for Iran to return to negotiations to end the conflict in the Middle East.Speaking at an Al-Monitor Live event in New York on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, Waltz said the Trump administration believes time is on its side in the conflict with Iran, which began Feb. 28.“I do believe that to be the case,” Waltz said when asked by Al-Monitor senior adviser Andrew Parasiliti whether Washington believes time is on its side.He added that the “door is open for Iran to come back to the negotiating table,” while dismissing as “fantastical” reports that Tehran has demanded an end to US sanctions and reparations as conditions for renewed talks.Iran has effectively blockaded the strait since the start of the war and made its reopening conditional on the removal of US sanctions, compensation for war damage and other demands rejected by the Trump administration. Waltz defended the Trump administration’s handling of the war with Iran.“The Iranian regime is at its weakest point since 1979 and it’s getting weaker,” Waltz said, citing economic pressure and the collapse of Iran’s currency. “They’re going to come back [to talks], I hope peacefully and diplomatically.”Iran’s rial fell to a record low of more than 2.25 million to the US dollar on the informal market earlier this month amid mounting economic pressure from the war, US sanctions and restrictions on Iranian oil exports.On Gaza, Waltz described the administration’s approach as a “new type of multilateralism” and said talks with Israel on implementing President Donald Trump’s 20-point Gaza plan could “move forward after the elections are settled,” referring to Israel’s Oct. 27 parliamentary election.The plan includes a Palestinian technocratic administration, reconstruction and an International Stabilization Force, while negotiations over Hamas’ disarmament and an Israeli withdrawal have stalled.Waltz claimed there were “prospective members” interested in joining the Abraham Accords, to normalize relations with Israel, but did not name them.He also welcomed Israel and Morocco’s decision earlier this month to exchange ambassadors.On Iraq, Waltz praised Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi’s efforts to bring Iran-backed militias under state control, saying Iran’s “weakened state” could create an opening to curb their influence.