UNGA 81: Trump Threatens to ‘Annihilate’ Iran if No Deal Is Reached

United States President Donald Trump has threatened to “annihilate” Iran if Tehran fails to reach a deal with Washington, using his address to the 81st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 81) to defend the ongoing US military campaign against Iran.

Trump issued the warning on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, while addressing world leaders at the United Nations headquarters in New York. He framed the conflict around his administration’s stated objective of preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon and reducing what he described as Tehran’s ability to threaten countries across the Middle East.

Trump said he faced what he described as a major decision over the future of the conflict, contrasting the possibility of a negotiated agreement with further military action against Iran.

“I have a big decision to make,” Trump told the General Assembly, before asking whether a deal would be reached with Iran or whether he should “annihilate the Islamic Republic.” He also threatened to drive Iran “into hell” if an agreement was not reached.

The remarks represented a sharp escalation in the public rhetoric surrounding the US-Iran conflict, although Trump simultaneously indicated that he believed a diplomatic settlement remained possible.

Trump said he expected the United States and Iran to reach an agreement after the November 3 US midterm elections, suggesting that Tehran was waiting to see the outcome of the elections before committing to a deal.

He nevertheless said the elections would not determine his policy towards Iran and insisted that his decisions would be based on what he considers to be US national-security interests.

Trump used his UNGA 81 speech to defend the military campaign against Iran, arguing that US action had prevented Tehran from obtaining a nuclear weapon and had significantly weakened its military capabilities.

He accused Iran of supporting militant groups and contributing to instability across the Middle East, while reiterating that the United States would not accept Iran acquiring a nuclear weapon.

Trump also urged countries around the world to maintain economic pressure on Iran, calling for what Reuters described as complete economic isolation of Tehran.

The US president’s comments came as Washington and Tehran continued to face pressure to find a diplomatic route out of the conflict.

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Iran has previously signalled conditions for ending the fighting, including an end to hostilities, the release of frozen Iranian funds and an end to the US naval blockade of Iranian ports, according to reporting ahead of the UN summit.

The Iranian delegation’s response to Trump’s speech underscored the depth of the diplomatic divide.

Iranian representatives reportedly walked out of the General Assembly chamber as Trump delivered his address and criticised Tehran’s conduct.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi were in New York for the UN General Assembly, although they did not attend Trump’s address in the chamber.

Trump also used the speech to claim that the US military campaign had altered Iran’s ability to operate as a regional power.

He described Iran as having previously been a major source of regional instability and argued that American military action had changed the balance of power.

Iran, however, has rejected Washington’s characterisation of its nuclear programme and military activities and has continued to call for diplomatic engagement based on its own conditions.

The confrontation has implications beyond the two countries because of the importance of the Strait of Hormuz, a major global energy shipping route.

The waterway has remained a central concern during the conflict, with disruptions affecting oil supplies and contributing to higher energy prices. Gulf countries have also faced the risk of being drawn further into the confrontation because of their geographical proximity to Iran and their strategic relationship with Washington.

The impact on energy markets has become an increasingly important part of the political debate in the United States, particularly as the country approaches the 2026 midterm elections.

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Trump has argued that a deal with Iran could eventually help stabilise the situation and bring energy prices down, while continuing to maintain that military pressure is necessary to force Tehran towards an agreement.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has also indicated that Washington remains open to negotiations, even as the Trump administration maintains pressure on Iran.

Trump’s UN appearance was part of a wider diplomatic programme that included meetings with leaders from Europe, the Middle East and other regions.

The Iran war nevertheless dominated much of the attention surrounding his speech because of its implications for regional security, energy supplies and US foreign policy.

Trump also addressed the Russia-Ukraine war and other international issues, presenting his administration’s foreign policy as an effort to use American military and economic power to pressure adversaries towards negotiations.

The president portrayed his approach as different from previous US administrations, arguing that Washington had been more willing to use American power to confront international conflicts.

The remarks on Iran, however, were the most consequential part of the address because Trump explicitly presented further military escalation as an alternative to a negotiated settlement.

His comments did not result in an immediate agreement between Washington and Tehran.

Instead, the United States continued to demand major concessions from Iran while indicating that diplomacy remained possible.

Trump’s statement that a deal could be reached after the November election also leaves open a potentially significant diplomatic window, although there was no indication from Tehran during the UN session that an agreement was imminent.

The US-Iran conflict has already created wider regional consequences, including pressure on shipping, energy markets and Gulf states concerned about retaliatory attacks.

Gulf leaders meeting Trump in New York have been seeking to prevent further escalation while protecting their own countries from the consequences of an expanded war. CNN reported that Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar had previously urged Trump against a major escalation and were again concerned about being drawn deeper into the conflict.

The possibility of renewed negotiations therefore remains alongside the threat of further military action.

For now, Trump’s “annihilate Iran” warning represents a public statement of the consequences he says Tehran could face if it refuses an agreement, while his prediction of a possible post-election deal indicates that Washington has not closed the door on diplomacy.

The UN General Assembly address produced no immediate breakthrough between the two countries, leaving the conflict at a critical point as international pressure continues to build for a negotiated settlement.

UNGA 81: Trump Threatens to ‘Annihilate’ Iran if No Deal Is Reached

UK Approves Defensive Military Support for Saudi Arabia as Houthi Attacks Escalate

The United Kingdom has approved limited military support for Saudi Arabia after Riyadh requested assistance to counter escalating attacks by Yemen’s Houthi movement.

British Prime Minister Andy Burnham said the UK would provide defensive air-to-air refuelling for Saudi aircraft under a time-limited arrangement that will initially involve the deployment of a Royal Air Force Voyager aircraft.

Burnham announced the decision on Monday while travelling to New York for the United Nations General Assembly, saying he approved the Saudi request following advice from the British defence and foreign secretaries.

The RAF Voyager is expected to help refuel Saudi fighter aircraft in the air, allowing them to remain operational for longer as Saudi Arabia responds to Houthi missile and drone attacks.

The British government has described the assistance as defensive military support, rather than an agreement for British forces to join offensive operations against Houthi targets.

Burnham said the arrangement would be temporary and kept under review.

The decision follows an escalation in fighting in Yemen, with Houthi forces intensifying attacks on Saudi Arabia since July.

According to the UK government, Houthi missiles and drones have targeted cities, airports, military facilities and energy infrastructure in Saudi Arabia, while attacks have also affected Saudi-linked shipping in the Red Sea.

British officials have warned that the escalation threatens regional stability and freedom of navigation through the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandeb Strait, one of the world’s important maritime routes.

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The UK government said Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia had injured civilians, damaged homes and residential areas and disrupted commercial aviation.

The conflict has also created a growing humanitarian crisis in Yemen, with the UK saying more than 126,000 people have been displaced amid the renewed fighting.

Humanitarian agencies have reported increasing food insecurity and growing health and protection needs, particularly among women and children.

The British government has called on the Houthis to end their attacks, release detained humanitarian, United Nations and diplomatic personnel and return to the UN-led peace process.

London has also accused Iran of providing longstanding support to the Houthis, saying that assistance has enabled attacks affecting civilians, neighbouring countries and maritime security. Iran’s role remains part of the wider regional dispute.

The latest British deployment adds to an existing UK-Saudi defence relationship.

Earlier this year, Britain deployed its Sky Sabre air-defence system to Saudi Arabia to help protect the kingdom against missile threats.

The new RAF support comes as the Houthis have expanded their military presence along Yemen’s Red Sea coast, increasing international concern about the security of commercial shipping and energy supplies.

The strategic importance of the Bab al-Mandeb Strait has made the latest escalation particularly significant for international trade.

The UK government has said the disruption of major shipping routes could have wider economic consequences, while Burnham linked regional stability to protecting Britain’s economic interests and limiting further pressure on energy and living costs.

The Houthis control Yemen’s capital, Sana’a, and large parts of the country’s most populated areas. Their renewed conflict with Saudi Arabia and Yemen’s internationally recognised government has added another layer to the wider instability in the Middle East.

Saudi Arabia has for years maintained close defence and security ties with Britain and has been one of the UK’s major defence customers.

Under the new arrangement, however, Britain’s immediate military role is limited to the agreed defensive support.

The deployment of the RAF Voyager is expected to begin within days, with the duration of the assistance subject to review.

The UK has said it will continue working with regional and international partners to support regional stability, civilian protection and humanitarian access while backing diplomatic efforts to end the conflict.

The latest development places Britain more directly alongside Saudi Arabia as Riyadh responds to the renewed Houthi attacks, while also highlighting the wider implications of the Yemen conflict for Red Sea shipping, energy supplies and Middle East security.

UK Approves Defensive Military Support for Saudi Arabia as Houthi Attacks Escalate

US Allows Iran’s Core UN Delegation, Denies Visas to Some Officials

The United States has refused to issue visas to some members of Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian’s delegation, including members of his communications team, ahead of his planned appearance at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York.

Iranian state media reported the visa refusals on Monday, September 21, 2026, while confirming that the United States has authorised the core Iranian delegation to travel to New York for the high-level UN gathering.

Pezeshkian is expected to address the 81st UN General Assembly on Wednesday, making his planned visit the highest-level Iranian presence in the United States since the conflict involving Iran, Israel and the US escalated earlier this year.

Iran’s state news agency, IRNA, reported that the Trump administration had denied visas to certain members of Pezeshkian’s high-level delegation, including personnel responsible for communications.

The Mehr news agency also reported the visa denials, citing a spokesperson for the Iranian presidency.

The decision does not amount to a blanket refusal of entry to the Iranian delegation. The United States has authorised the core delegation, which includes President Pezeshkian and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, to attend the UN General Assembly.

The distinction is significant because the annual UN gathering brings together representatives of member states at the headquarters of the United Nations in New York, which is hosted by the United States.

The current arrangement follows restrictions imposed by Washington on the Iranian delegation during last year’s General Assembly. UN records show that Iran previously raised concerns over visa delays and denials affecting members of its delegation and argued that such restrictions hindered its participation in UN activities.

For this year’s meeting, Washington has also imposed restrictions on the movement and activities of the Iranian delegation while it is in the United States.

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The State Department has said the delegation will face restrictions on its movements and on the purchase of certain luxury goods and other items. The measures come amid the absence of normal diplomatic relations between Iran and the United States and the continuing conflict between the two countries.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi left Iran on Sunday for the United States, travelling through Qatar.

The Iranian government has also used Qatar as an intermediary in communicating with Washington over the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial route for global oil and gas shipments.

Tehran has conveyed conditions for reopening the waterway, according to Iranian officials, while the United States has imposed measures against Iranian ports.

The Strait of Hormuz has become a major issue in the wider conflict because of its importance to international energy supplies.

Pezeshkian’s expected appearance at the UN General Assembly comes at a particularly sensitive moment in relations between Tehran and Washington.

The conflict has also become a major issue for this year’s UN gathering, with world leaders expected to discuss the Middle East, the war involving Iran, the conflict in Ukraine, the situation in Gaza and other international crises.

The Iranian president’s presence in New York could provide an opportunity for diplomatic contacts on the sidelines of the General Assembly, although the two governments remain sharply divided over the conflict and other issues.

US President Donald Trump is also attending the UN General Assembly this week and is expected to address the gathering.

Trump has indicated that he remains open to discussions involving Iran, while Tehran has continued to communicate through intermediaries.

The visa dispute therefore adds another layer to already strained US-Iran relations, but it has not prevented Iran’s president and foreign minister from attending the UN meeting.

For now, Pezeshkian’s scheduled appearance means Iran will have senior-level representation at the 81st UN General Assembly, despite Washington’s refusal to issue visas to some members of his wider delegation.

The immediate focus will be on Pezeshkian’s address, Iran’s position on the ongoing conflict and whether the UN gathering creates opportunities for further diplomatic engagement between Tehran and Washington.

US Allows Iran’s Core UN Delegation, Denies Visas to Some Officials