Trump threatens to 'annihilate' Iran in UN General Assembly speech

At the 81st United Nations General Assembly, U.S. President Donald Trump delivered a combative address threatening to "annihilate" Iran and drive it "into hell" if it refuses to negotiate an end to the seven-month war. The conflict has caused severe economic strain, pushing U.S. diesel prices to a record $6.50 a gallon. While Iranian delegates walked out of the speech in protest, Trump revealed that U.S. officials, including Jared Kushner, had just completed a "very good" three-hour meeting with Iranian counterparts, raising hopes for a post-midterm election peace deal.

US-Iran war context

• ▪The ongoing seven-month war between the United States and Iran has caused global gasoline and diesel prices to skyrocket, with diesel hitting a record average of $6.50 a gallon in the United States
• ▪The United States and Iran have been engaged in an active military conflict for nearly seven months, which began on February 28, 2026

Iran deal prospects after midterms

• ▪President Donald Trump predicted that the United States and Iran will reach a peace agreement shortly after the U.S. midterm elections on November 3, 2026
• ▪President Donald Trump characterized the three-hour meeting between United States and Iranian officials as "very good" and stated that another meeting is scheduled for the near future
• ▪United States officials, including Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, held a three-hour meeting with Iranian counterparts on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly on September 22, 2026

Iranian delegation walkout

• ▪The Iranian delegation at the United Nations General Assembly walked out of the hall ten minutes into President Donald Trump's speech on September 22, 2026
• ▪Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi did not attend President Donald Trump's address to the UN General Assembly on September 22, 2026, leaving lower-level staff to represent the Iranian delegation before they walked out

Trump unsubstantiated casualty figures

• ▪President Donald Trump claimed during his speech that the Iranian government slaughtered over 72,000 of its own citizens during protests over the past year
• ▪Human rights watchdogs estimate that approximately 5,000 or more Iranians were killed during protests in December and January, contrasting with President Donald Trump's claim of 72,000 deaths

Debatable claims

• ▪Nations should withdraw from the International Criminal Court
• ▪Governments should restrict artificial intelligence development to prevent existential risks
• ▪The United States should militarily annihilate Iran if negotiations fail
• ▪The United States should build major military bases in Greenland