Trump threatens to 'annihilate' Iran in UN speech as officials from both countries meet on sidelines

September 23, 2026

President Donald Trump addressed the United Nations General Assembly, presenting Iran with an ultimatum between reaching a peace agreement or facing potential military annihilation. His speech, which emphasized his "peace through strength" approach, came amid ongoing diplomatic efforts as U.S. and Iranian officials held indirect negotiations through Qatari mediators on the sidelines of the assembly. Trump spent considerable time defending the U.S.-Israeli military action against Iran that began in February, which has negatively impacted oil prices and his approval ratings.

Who is affected

Iran (the Islamic Republic and its delegation, including Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi)
The United States and President Donald Trump
Israel (as a military partner with the U.S. in the Iran conflict)
Russia and Ukraine (mentioned in relation to ongoing peace efforts)
UN Secretary General António Guterres and the United Nations General Assembly attendees
U.S. voters facing November midterm elections
Global populations affected by spiked oil prices

What action is being taken

U.S. and Iranian representatives are holding indirect negotiations through Qatari mediators
The U.S. and Israel are conducting ongoing military action against Iran (launched in February)
Trump is meeting with more than a dozen world leaders at the UN
Qatari mediators are shuttling between U.S. and Iranian sides to communicate conditions
The U.S. is working closely with leaders of Russia and Ukraine on peace efforts

Why it matters

This matters because it represents a critical juncture in U.S.-Iran relations where the choice between diplomacy and military escalation could have profound consequences for regional stability and global security. The ongoing conflict has already affected global oil prices and Trump's domestic approval ratings, demonstrating how Middle East tensions impact both international markets and domestic politics. The ultimatum approach and simultaneous diplomatic talks reflect a high-stakes coercive diplomacy strategy that could either prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons through negotiation or lead to devastating military confrontation. Additionally, the situation tests Trump's foreign policy agenda while global divisions are deepening, as noted by the UN Secretary General.

What's next

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio will meet Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in New York on Wednesday
Qatari mediators will continue their diplomatic work between the U.S. and Iran
Trump believes an Iran deal would come right after November's elections

Read full article from source: BBC