Another midnight session, another round of positive developments for China. The Mid-Autumn holiday has brought a steady stream of good news.
Just after midnight on September 26, US stocks surged sharply. By the close, the Dow Jones Industrial Average had gained nearly 480 points, while the Nasdaq 100 Index and the S&P 500 Index rose 0.48% and 0.51% respectively. The Wind US Mega-Cap Tech Seven Index climbed 0.66%. Among the seven giants, Microsoft and Apple advanced 3.66% and 1.53% respectively, while Facebook fell 3.33%.
In the crude oil market, prices took a sharp dive. Veteran observers immediately recognized this as yet another positive development between the US and Iran.
On the news front, negotiations between Iran and the United States in New York have moved from initial diplomatic contacts into a more detailed technical consultation phase. Sources in Tehran say the atmosphere of the talks is becoming increasingly positive.
According to Al Jazeera, after US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner participated in the first round of talks, technical experts also joined the negotiations in New York. The US government initially did not approve visas for some members of the Iranian delegation, but the relevant visas were granted quickly, allowing these personnel to join the talks. Over the past several months, Qatari officials have been serving as mediators between the United States and Iran.
The two sides are currently discussing a "7-day plan" proposed by Iran: if the United States lifts its blockade on Iran, Iran will reopen the Strait of Hormuz within 7 days. This plan can be seen as an accelerated version of the previously discussed "60-day process" and will include emergency measures to push the two countries back toward direct negotiations on Iran's nuclear issue.
Iran's main demands currently under discussion include: lifting sanctions, removing restrictions on Iranian oil exports, and allowing Iran to access its frozen overseas funds. The two sides are also continuing to discuss arrangements related to the Strait of Hormuz, including whether Iran and Oman might restore some form of joint management under a framework involving regional countries and the United States, as well as the rules applicable to US vessels passing through the strait.
Although many issues remain unresolved, sources believe the negotiations have made some progress. Consultations are still ongoing, and Qatar is working to bridge the differences between the US and Iran.
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