Addressing the UN General Assembly, US President Donald Trump stated that he faced a serious decision: whether to continue strikes against Iran or attempt to reach a peace agreement, the BBC reports.
A member of the Iranian delegation was present in New York on the 22nd of September to hear Trump’s speech, in which the president said he could “anhillate” Iran if the conflict could not be resolved. Speaking before a packed hall, Trump rejected the international order, vowed to achieve peace in Ukraine, and expressed confidence that the US would win the race to develop artificial intelligence.
On the 22nd of September, the US President met with more than a dozen world leaders.
Trump began his General Assembly speech by boasting about his achievements regarding the economy, immigration, border security, and the fight against violent crime. His remarks sounded more like an attempt to win over voters ahead of the midterm elections than an address to high-ranking diplomats. A significant portion of the speech was devoted to justifications regarding Iran; the conflict in the Middle East, ongoing since late February, has caused a sharp rise in global oil prices, while simultaneously, Trump’s approval ratings have declined. Trump argued that the war had prevented nuclear weapons from falling into Tehran’s hands and demonstrated the power inherent in a “peace through strength” approach—issuing ultimatums rather than seeking compromise.
Trump rhetorically asked whether a deal could be struck with Iran that would allow it to rebuild
and become a greater nation than ever before, or if he should instead “strangle” the Islamic Republic, denying it the chance to kill people and destroy nations again. He stated his belief that an agreement with Iran—something Trump has so far failed to achieve—could be reached after the midterm elections scheduled for the 3rd of November.
Overall, Trump’s speech aligned with his foreign policy strategy: threatening overwhelming force to keep the door to dialogue open. Later, the US President told the media that American officials had held a highly productive, three-hour meeting with the Iranian delegation. Iranian state television confirmed that Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi had met with Steve Witkoff, the US Special Envoy for the Middle East. The Iranian media outlet IRNA, citing Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei, reported that talks took place through Qatari mediators who conveyed Tehran’s terms, including demands to end the war on all fronts and to halt acts of US aggression.
As Witkoff left the UN building, the BBC asked him how the talks had gone; he responded with a thumbs-up gesture. Later, Witkoff confirmed on X that the discussions had been conducted via mediators who maintained communication between US and Iranian representatives throughout the day.
During his address,
Trump also predicted once again that his diplomatic efforts would bring an end to the war in Ukraine.
However, these efforts have yielded no results so far, and the war continues with undiminished intensity. Trump stated that Americans are working closely with the leaders of Ukraine and Russia and that the task will be accomplished—and much sooner than people think.
According to the US State Department, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is scheduled to meet with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on the 23rd of September.
Trump also once again sought to downplay the potential threat posed by artificial intelligence, vowing that the US would not yield to China in the field of technology. He stated that artificial intelligence should be renamed “super intelligence,” noting that the word “artificial” makes it sound fake, whereas it is not fake—it is, in fact, fantastic. However, he also cautioned that care must be exercised.
During the UN General Assembly, Trump signed an agreement with the leaders of Denmark and Greenland to increase the US military presence on the Arctic island.
The agreement affirms Greenland’s sovereignty while granting the US extensive access to the island’s airspace
and land territory.
Trump also met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, British politician Andy Burnham, the President of South Korea, and leaders from Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Oman. During the latter meeting—which was also attended by leaders from other Arab and Islamic nations—discussions focused on the current situation and developments in the Middle East, as well as ways to ensure stability and security.
In his final major address in office, UN Secretary-General António Guterres called on major powers (whom he did not name) to acknowledge that their power is not limitless. He added that global divisions are becoming increasingly palpable. Trump, in stark contrast, criticized international institutions, accusing the UN of promoting the policies of far-left globalist bureaucrats. He emphasized national sovereignty and the unparalleled military might of the United States.
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