US Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz said Sunday that the door remains open for Iran to return to negotiations aimed at ending the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, while indicating that the Trump administration believes continued pressure is working in Washington’s favor.
Waltz made the remarks during an Al-Monitor Live event in New York held on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly.
Asked by Al-Monitor senior adviser Andrew Parasiliti whether the Trump administration believes that time is on its side in the conflict with Iran, which began on February 28, Waltz said he agreed with that assessment.
“I do believe that to be the case,” Waltz said.
He added that Washington remained prepared for Iran to return to negotiations, saying the “door is open for Iran to come back to the negotiating table.”
Waltz also rejected reports that Tehran had demanded the lifting of US sanctions and reparations as conditions for renewed negotiations. He described such reports as “fantastical.”
According to the ambassador, the Iranian government is facing significant economic pressure and domestic challenges. He argued that the country’s leadership is currently in a weaker position than at any time since the 1979 Iranian Revolution.
“The Iranian regime is at its weakest point since 1979 and it’s getting weaker,” Waltz said, pointing to economic pressure and the decline of Iran’s currency.
He said he hoped Iran would eventually return to negotiations through diplomatic and peaceful means.
“They’re going to come back, I hope peacefully and diplomatically,” Waltz said.
Gaza Peace Efforts
Waltz also discussed the administration’s approach to the conflict in Gaza, describing it as a “new type of multilateralism.”
He said negotiations with Israel concerning implementation of President Donald Trump’s 20-point Gaza plan could move forward once Israel’s parliamentary election is settled.
The election is scheduled for October 27.
The proposed Gaza plan includes provisions for a Palestinian technocratic administration, reconstruction efforts and the establishment of an International Stabilization Force.
However, significant issues remain unresolved, including negotiations over the disarmament of Hamas and the conditions and timing of an Israeli military withdrawal.
Waltz did not provide a specific timetable for advancing the plan but linked further discussions with Israel to the conclusion of the parliamentary election.
The ambassador also said there were “prospective members” interested in joining the Abraham Accords, the US-backed framework under which several Arab and Muslim-majority countries have established or pursued normalized relations with Israel.
He did not identify the countries he was referring to.
Waltz nevertheless welcomed a recent decision by Israel and Morocco to exchange ambassadors, describing the development as part of broader diplomatic engagement under the Abraham Accords.
Iraq and Iran-Backed Militias
Waltz also addressed developments in Iraq, where he praised Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi's efforts to bring Iran-backed armed groups under the authority of the Iraqi state.
The ambassador said Iran’s weakened position could create an opportunity to reduce the influence of militias aligned with Tehran.
He argued that strengthening the Iraqi government's control over armed groups would be important for the country's sovereignty and regional stability.
Waltz's comments placed Iran, Gaza and Iraq within the broader framework of the Trump administration's Middle East policy, which he characterized as combining diplomatic engagement with continued pressure.
His remarks on Iran indicated that Washington is maintaining an opening for negotiations while continuing to apply economic and political pressure on Tehran.
At the same time, the unresolved issues surrounding Gaza remain a major obstacle to the administration's broader regional objectives. The proposed plan requires agreement on several sensitive questions, particularly the future governance of Gaza, Hamas' weapons and Israel's military presence.
Waltz's comments therefore underscored the administration's stated preference for negotiations where possible, while maintaining pressure on governments and armed groups it considers threats to US and regional interests.
