Donald Trump addresses the 81st UN General Assembly

On September 22, 2026, U.S. President Donald Trump addressed the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York. During his 37-minute speech, he championed his administration's foreign policy achievements, including the assertion that his actions, such as the operation dubbed "Midnight Hammer" against Iranian nuclear facilities, were necessary to prevent Tehran from acquiring nuclear capabilities. Trump characterized Iran as the leading sponsor of terrorism, declaring that the country must either reach a deal or face severe consequences, which he described as potentially leading the Islamic Republic to "hell.

Diplomatic tensions peaked during the address when members of the Iranian and Cuban delegations walked out of the hall in protest. Trump maintained that a deal with Iran is likely following the U.S. midterm elections in November, despite current rhetoric suggesting a hardline approach. He emphasized that the U.S. is stronger than ever as it celebrates its 250th anniversary. Additionally, the President called on Vladimir Putin to end the war in Ukraine and defended U.S. global military engagements, including the current conflict involving Israel and Iran, as vital to eliminating nuclear threats. The administration continues to evaluate its next steps regarding Tehran, balancing potential diplomatic negotiations against further military options.