President Donald Trump said he met with Iran’s delegation for three hours on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, at the United Nations General Assembly in New York City and repeated a stark ultimatum that Iran faced either “potential greatness or obliteration.” Ultimo aggiornamento: 23 settembre 2026.
Why the meeting mattered at the 81st UNGA
The encounter took place during the 81st session of the General Assembly a gathering that has drawn heightened attention amid the war that entered its seventh month. Trump framed the discussion as part of a broader push to force Iran into negotiations, coupling his account of a “very good meeting” with blunt language earlier delivered on the Assembly floor that he would decide whether to “annihilate” Tehran. The U.S. approach unfolded alongside other high-profile interactions during the High-Level Week, underscoring the ties between bilateral diplomacy at the UN and wider regional dynamics.
Who met whom and what was said
Trump described the session with Iran’s delegation as lasting three hours and characterized it as constructive, while reiterating a hardline formulation: “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.” Iranian officials present in New York included Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and President Masoud Pezeshkian who were permitted to attend under restricted conditions set by the State Department. The U.S. said the delegation would face limitations on purchases, continuing a policy first imposed in 2025 to prevent exploitation of UNGA attendance for luxury spending.
Iran’s parallel diplomacy and regional reactions
While in New York, Iran’s delegation conducted a series of side meetings. Abbas Araghchi greeted Italy’s foreign minister Ignazio Cassis Estonia’s foreign minister Kaja Kallas and Qatar’s prime minister and foreign minister Mohammad bin Abdulrahman Al Thani and engaged with the European Union representative for foreign affairs. Back in Tehran, parliament speaker Baqer Qalibaf dismissed Trump’s threats at a veterans ceremony, saying that “Trump can’t impose his power on Iran.” Qalibaf pledged that Iran would endure and resist external pressure. The U.S. visa decisions also continued to affect other delegations: the Palestinian Authority saw Mahmoud Abbas and several officials denied visas, a policy the State Department defended on the grounds of objections to unilateral actions and alleged glorification of terrorism.
Security incidents and strategic context
The General Assembly diplomacy unfolded against a backdrop of military and strategic developments in the Gulf. The Strait of Hormuz remained a flashpoint through which roughly 20% of the world’s oil transits, and U.S. Central Command reported strikes earlier in the week on five tankers linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps in response to hostile actions that targeted an American warship. Trump framed U.S. measures as having already degraded Iran’s military capability and pushed the Islamic Republic toward economic collapse, reiterating language used in multiple venues that sought to tie diplomatic pressure to coercive military options.
Other themes from Trump’s UN appearance
On the General Assembly stage, the president emphasized American domestic achievements and broader foreign policy initiatives. He touched on efforts to end the war in Ukraine, saying he had been working “closely with the leaders of Russia and Ukraine” toward a cease-fire, and he suggested a deal could materialize quickly. He also referenced developments in Latin America, including actions involving Venezuela, and announced a security agreement with the Kingdom of Denmark over Greenland that would expand U.S. authority on the island. The same day’s items included administrative and policy notes such as removal of enrollment amid fraud allegations and a push against an international framework for AI governance.
The General Assembly schedule showed President Trump delivering his address on Tuesday, while President Pezeshkian remained slated to speak on Wednesday, providing Tehran with a platform to present its perspective amid mounting diplomatic and security tensions at the UN.
