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Iran has ruled out fresh negotiations with the United States at the United Nations General Assembly in New York, despite US President Donald Trump saying he expects talks between the two countries to resume this week.

Iran’s state-run IRNA news agency reported Monday that the Iranian delegation in New York had no plans to hold negotiations with Washington, citing an unnamed source close to the delegation.

The development came a day after Trump told Axios that he expected US and Iranian representatives to engage in further discussions following Washington’s rejection of Tehran’s latest proposal concerning the Strait of Hormuz.

“Iran’s delegation in New York has no plans for negotiations with the United States,” IRNA quoted the source as saying.

However, indirect diplomatic contacts appear to be continuing through regional mediators, particularly Qatar. Axios reported that Qatari officials have been shuttling between Iranian and US negotiators in an effort to narrow differences between the two sides.

Iran has proposed reopening the Strait of Hormuz within seven days as part of a broader arrangement to halt hostilities. Tehran has linked the proposal to demands including the lifting of the US naval blockade, removal of sanctions affecting its oil exports and a regional ceasefire.

The Strait of Hormuz is a crucial global energy corridor through which a significant share of the world’s oil trade passes, making the dispute over access to the waterway a major concern for international energy markets.

The latest diplomatic standoff follows months of conflict between Washington and Tehran. Iran has sought to use negotiations over the strait as a pathway toward a broader settlement, while the Trump administration has also pressed Tehran over its nuclear programme.

Trump rejected Iran’s latest proposal on Saturday but said the door to further discussions remained open. According to Axios, he said he expected more talks during the week and that Qatar and other regional mediators were continuing efforts to revive negotiations.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi also indicated Sunday that Tehran remained open to diplomacy, saying Iran was waiting for an official response through mediators despite Trump’s rejection of the proposal.

The conflicting statements highlight the uncertainty surrounding the next phase of US-Iran diplomacy, with Washington signalling interest in further talks while Tehran says its delegation currently in New York has no plans for direct negotiations.

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Serbia’s President Aleksandar Vucic announced his resignation on ​Sunday, seven months before his tenure was originally scheduled to expire.

56-year-old Vucic ended his second and final five-year term amid campaigning for the October ​25 snap parliamentary vote to elect 250 members of​ the National Assembly.

His departure sets the stage for early presidential elections and allows him to ​be appointed Prime Minister if the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) retains majority control of government.

“I have faithfully served you ​and my fatherland, Serbia. I am proud of what we ​have done together,” he told supporters at the Presidency building in Belgrade.

The populist politician, who previously served as Minister of Defence, said the first round of presidential elections will be held by the end ​of December.

Serbia’s constitution stipulates that the presidential election must be completed within 90 days, with the campaign lasting between 30 and 60 ​days.

Outgoing parliament Speaker Ana ‌Brnabic ⁠will serve as acting President until her successor is elected. She was the Prime Minister from 2017 until 2024.

Factor Plus polling places public support for Vucic’s United Serbia, led by the SNS, at 49%. The youth-backed opposition challenger, known as the Student List, has about 37% popularity.

The movement stemmed from the “Students in Blockade” group after the collapse of the Novi Sad railway station canopy in November 2024, which sparked anti-corruption protests.

The group, which comprises academics, public figures, and professionals, gathered nearly 70,000 signatures and was proclaimed as number 3 on the ballot by the Electoral Commission.

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At least 27 people have been killed and 26 others wounded in two separate mass shootings near South Africa’s two biggest cities, Johannesburg and Cape Town, triggering a police manhunt for the attackers.

The shootings occurred within hours of each other, adding to growing concern over gun violence and organised crime in the country.

In the first attack, eight gunmen armed with assault rifles and pistols stormed a tavern in Wedela township, about 80 kilometres southwest of Johannesburg, at around 9:30 p.m. on Saturday.

Police said the attackers opened fire on patrons drinking outside before moving into the tavern and continuing the shooting.

Seventeen people — 13 men and four women — were killed, while 15 others sustained gunshot injuries.

The suspects reportedly searched some patrons and took their mobile phones before fleeing in two vehicles, which they later set ablaze. No arrests had been made as of Sunday, according to police.

The motive for the Wedela attack remained unclear. However, police said preliminary information suggested it could have been linked to an earlier incident at the same tavern.

Deputy provincial police commissioner Major General Fred Kekana said investigators had obtained images of the suspects and were confident they would eventually be identified and arrested.

The shooting occurred in an area where authorities have been intensifying operations against illegal mining and criminal networks operating around abandoned mine shafts.

Second attack near Cape Town

Hours later, another mass shooting was reported in Lwandle township, near Cape Town.

Police said gunmen opened fire at an entertainment venue selling grilled meat at about 1:46 a.m. on Sunday, killing 10 people and injuring 11 others.

Five victims died at the scene, while five others succumbed to their injuries after being taken to medical facilities.

Police said detectives were searching for the perpetrators, with no arrests reported in connection with the attack.

Videos circulating on social media showed people drinking and dancing before gunfire erupted, sending revellers scrambling for safety.

Ramaphosa vows action

The two attacks came just days after another mass shooting near Durban in which 11 people, including a pregnant woman, were killed at a house party.

South Africa has long struggled with high levels of violent crime, with shootings frequently linked to gangs, organised criminal groups and disputes involving local businesses.

President Cyril Ramaphosa condemned the latest attacks and said security agencies would continue efforts to reduce violent crime.

“This cannot go on like this,” Ramaphosa said, stressing that people should not be able to pick up firearms and randomly shoot others.

South Africa has repeatedly deployed soldiers to support police operations in areas affected by serious violence and organised crime.

Despite those efforts, shootings remain a persistent security challenge.

The latest attacks have renewed questions about the availability of firearms, organised crime and the ability of security agencies to prevent repeated mass-casualty shootings.

Police investigations into both incidents are ongoing, and authorities are urging anyone with information about the attackers to come forward.