Key facts
- Donald Trump threatened to "annihilate the Islamic republic" of Iran.
- Trump called for countries to unite to isolate Tehran and bring down global energy prices.
- US special envoy Steve Witkoff held talks with Iranian officials on the sidelines of the UN meeting.
- A senior Iranian official indicated Iran was prepared to reopen the Strait of Hormuz within a week.
- Trump dismissed warnings about runaway AI agents as a "hoax".
- Trump announced the US would build new military bases in Greenland.
President Donald Trump used the United Nations General Assembly platform to issue a stark threat to Iran, stating he would "annihilate the Islamic republic" and "do it quickly." He urged global unity to isolate Tehran and reduce energy prices.
Despite the aggressive rhetoric, Trump also revealed that Iranian officials held three hours of talks with US special envoy Steve Witkoff on the sidelines of the meeting. Witkoff expressed optimism about the discussions, which marked the first contact between the two nations since US Vice President JD Vance met an Iranian delegation in June. A senior Iranian official suggested that Iran was prepared to reopen the Strait of Hormuz within a week.
During his UN address, Trump also defended the development of artificial intelligence, dismissing concerns about runaway agents as a "hoax." He announced plans for the US to establish new military bases in Greenland, criticized the international criminal court as a "rogue organisation," and prompted a walkout from Cuba's delegation by labeling the country a "failed state."
Trump also addressed media coverage, scolding a CNN anchor and stating the network should not be present. This follows his previous announcement banning CNN, Politico, and MS Now from the White House.