Recent mediated talks on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly have centered on Iran's seven-day proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for sanctions relief, asset unfreezing, and an end to the naval blockade, with broader nuclear negotiations to follow. The United States has rejected sequencing that delays nuclear concessions, insisting on verifiable progress on Iran's enriched uranium stockpile and inspections before any final agreement. Indirect engagement continues through Qatar and other mediators, building on the collapsed June memorandum of understanding that set a 60-day window for limits on Tehran's nuclear program. US officials have signaled openness to interim sanctions easing tied to concrete nuclear steps, while Iran maintains flexibility on dilution or third-country transfer but prioritizes immediate economic relief. Midterm election timelines and risks of renewed escalation add pressure on both sides.