On Tuesday, September 22, 2026, the United Nations General Assembly in New York City became the backdrop for a highly charged diplomatic encounter. President Donald Trump announced that his staff had spent three hours with Iran’s delegation at the U.N. headquarters, describing the exchange as a “very good meeting.” In the same breath, he reiterated a stark warning that Iran faced either “potential greatness or obliteration,” echoing his earlier pledge to “annihilate” the Islamic Republic if a deal was not reached.
Trump’s remarks and the three-hour dialogue
Speaking to reporters after a bilateral with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy the U.S. president emphasized the significance of the discussion. He said, “It’s a greatness, potential greatness or obliteration. In one case, it’s obliteration. And the other alternative is potential greatness. It can be a great country,” underscoring his belief that Iran could either become a regional power or face total destruction. The comment followed a speech on the General Assembly floor where Trump warned that he would decide whether to “annihilate” Tehran, a phrase he repeated later in the day.
Iranian delegation’s agenda in New York
Alongside the headline-grabbing meeting with the U.S., Iran’s foreign minister Abbas Araghchi held a series of side talks with several senior officials. Among those he greeted were Italy’s foreign minister Ignazio Cassis Estonia’s foreign minister Kaja Kallas the European Union’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, and Qatar’s prime minister and foreign minister Mohammad bin Abdulrahman Al Thani. The Iranian team’s presence in New York coincided with the 81st session of the UNGA, a period marked by heightened tension over the ongoing war that has now entered its seventh month.
The United States, despite the conflict, chose to grant visas to a core group of Iranian officials. A State Department spokesperson confirmed that President Masoud Pezeshkian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and essential staff would be permitted to attend the High-Level Week. However, the delegation would travel under strict restrictions, including a ban on purchasing luxury or wholesale goods, a policy in place since 2025. “We will not let the Iranian regime’s elites exploit UNGA for a luxury retail splurge paid for by the Iranian people’s suffering,” the spokesperson said.
Reactions from Tehran and broader diplomatic fallout
Back in Iran, top negotiator and parliament speaker Mohammad-Baqer Qalibaf dismissed Trump’s threats during a veterans ceremony, declaring “Trump can’t impose his power on Iran.” Qalibaf pledged that Iran would endure any warfare it might face and resist external pressure. The same day, Trump’s address to the General Assembly posed a stark choice: a deal that could transform Iran into a “great country” or an immediate “annihilation” of the regime.
The visa decision also extended to other regional actors. While Tehran’s delegation received limited access, the United States again denied a visa to Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and several Palestinian officials, continuing a ban implemented the previous year. The State Department justified the move by accusing the Palestinian leadership of attempting unilateral recognition of a state and of actions that “glorify terrorism,” a claim the Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs rejected as counter-productive to peace efforts.
Amid these diplomatic maneuvers, the strategic Strait of Hormuz remained a flashpoint. The waterway, through which roughly 20% of the world’s oil passes, continued to see attacks by both U.S. forces and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Earlier in the week, U.S. Central Command reported strikes on five Iranian tankers linked to the IRGC in response to attempts on an American warship.
As the 81st UNGA progresses, world leaders will watch closely how Trump’s stark ultimatum and the limited Iranian presence influence the broader Middle-East dynamics. The General Assembly’s general debate, set to begin on Tuesday, will feature Trump’s address, while President Pezeshkian is slated to speak on Wednesday, offering Tehran a platform to present its perspective amid mounting pressure.
