NEW YORK (TNND) — President Donald Trump used his address to the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) Tuesday to defend the nearly seven-month U.S. war with Iran, claim Tehran’s regional power has been broken, and raise the prospect of either a negotiated agreement or further escalation.
He opened his remarks by declaring, “America is back,” and portraying the United States as stronger economically, militarily and technologically under his administration.
Trump defends Iran war, weighs next steps
“There is no better example of a danger that was allowed to gather strength at the world’s peril than the number one sponsor of terror, the Islamic Republic of Iran,” Trump told world leaders. “They were the bully of the Middle East, but they are the bully no more.”
Trump said he had repeatedly offered Iran economic cooperation in exchange for ending its nuclear program and support for terrorism, but Tehran rejected those overtures. He claimed Iran had been building a missile and drone stockpile, including a missile capable of striking Europe, before the U.S. took military action earlier this year.
The president added U.S. and Israeli strikes had destroyed Iran’s navy, air force, radar and much of its missile and drone production capacity. He also thanked the U.N. Security Council for approving a resolution condemning what he called Iran’s attacks on commercial shipping and said the U.S. Navy had escorted more than 1 billion barrels of oil through the Strait of Hormuz.
Still, Trump said he faces a “big decision” over Iran: whether to pursue a deal that would allow the country to rebuild or “annihilate the Islamic Republic.” He predicted an agreement could be reached after the midterm elections, while insisting the election would not determine his approach to Tehran.
Trump also dismissed reports that the war had depleted U.S. weapons stockpiles.
“We have more munitions than we could ever possibly even think of using,” Trump said, adding that the U.S. was increasing production and building 18 new munitions plants.
Oil prices remain elevated despite an improvement in commercial traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. Brent crude has hovered near $100 per barrel, up from roughly $70 before the war began, while threats to oil infrastructure and shipping lanes continue to unsettle markets.
Qatar, which has served as a mediator, said Monday it is trying to overcome a “deep deficit of trust” between Washington and Tehran and push both sides back toward negotiations.
“This will end at the negotiating table,” Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesperson Majed al-Ansari said. “Either we sign a deal now or sign a deal 10 months away. The only difference is the number of dead and destruction that we see.”
Trump claims peace deals, outlines Greenland plans
Trump also claimed credit for settling eight conflicts.
“Since I took office, it has been my great honor to settle eight wars — numerous of which have gone on for many years, even decades,” Trump said. “The reason I was able to make all these settlements was the use of my relationships, trade, and various other reasons depending on the country.”
He listed Cambodia and Thailand, Kosovo and Serbia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda, Pakistan and India, Armenia and Azerbaijan, and the war in Gaza, which he said included the return of all hostages.
Trump also said the U.S. had reached an agreement with Denmark and Greenland that would expand America’s Arctic security role. Trump, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and Greenland Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen later participated in a trilateral signing ceremony on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly.
“This is tremendous for Europe and for the United States and for everybody,” Trump told reporters at the signing.
“This agreement, made with the Kingdom of Denmark and Greenland itself, gives the U.S. permanent control over security, and all other needs, on that territory,” Trump stated. “No U.S. adversary will EVER be permitted to establish a military presence in Greenland, or make sensitive investments there, without our express approval.”
Trump also addressed Russia’s war in Ukraine, saying, “We continue to seek an end to the disastrous war between Russia and Ukraine, which is killing tens of thousands of people per month.” He said he had recently signed legislation granting him broad new tariff authorities and added, “It is time to STOP THE KILLING.”
He praised first lady Melania Trump for her work reuniting children displaced by Russia’s war in Ukraine with their families.
“I also want to recognize the extraordinary work of our great first lady, who has secured the safe return of many displaced Ukrainian and Russian children back home to their families,” Trump said.
His U.N. schedule includes meetings with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, leaders from Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, British Prime Minister Andy Burnham, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and Venezuela’s acting President Delcy Rodríguez.
Russia and Ukraine have continued striking energy infrastructure despite Trump’s push for an energy truce.
Trump takes aim at CNN, global AI rules
The high-stakes meetings are unfolding as CNN, MS NOW and Politico challenge the administration’s decision to bar the outlets from the White House.
Trump briefly addressed the dispute when he arrived at U.N. headquarters, telling CNN’s Kaitlan Collins: “I’m surprised that CNN is here covering me. You shouldn’t be here.”
Trump also rejected international efforts to regulate artificial intelligence, which he said should instead be called “super intelligence.”
“The United States totally rejects any attempt to construct a globalist scheme of control for Artificial Intelligence,” Trump said. “Whoever wins AI, WINS! We are leading now over China, and everyone else — and I’m going to keep it that way.”
He said his administration would encourage the technology’s growth while relying on the Justice Department and other law-enforcement agencies to intervene if needed.