Trump UNGA September 22 2026 “I Have A Big Decision To Make Deal Or Annihilate The Islamic Republic” Steve Witkoff And Jared Kushner Met Iran Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi Three Hours UNGA Sidelines First Direct High-Level Meeting Since June Ceasefire Collapsed
President Donald Trump told the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday, September 22, that US and Iranian officials had met on the sidelines of the annual gathering, even as he threatened moments earlier that he may “annihilate” the Islamic Republic if a deal is not reached soon to end the nearly seven-month war. BBC News
Trump’s chief envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner met with Iran’s foreign minister Abbas Araghchi for three hours on the sidelines of the General Assembly, the first known high-level meeting since the interim ceasefire brokered in June collapsed within weeks. “It was a very good meeting,” Trump told reporters, adding that the Iranian officials were “not the highest level, but it’s something.”
In his address to world leaders, Trump framed the choice starkly: “Will a deal be made with Iran that lets them rebuild and create a far greater country than it ever was before? Or do I annihilate the Islamic Republic and do it quickly, never giving them a chance to kill and destroy people and countries again?”
Trump predicted a deal would not come before November’s US midterm elections: “I believe we’ll make a deal right after the election because it doesn’t make sense for them not to. They’re waiting to see how I do in the midterm election.” Most of Iran’s delegation walked out of the chamber as Trump spoke.
Activity in the Strait of Hormuz remains sparse; seventeen vessels transited the vital oil passage over the weekend, down from 37 a week earlier, according to Kpler.
Two choices from the same man, in the same afternoon, at the same building. That is not a contradiction. It is a negotiating strategy.
Check out our previous coverage of the Iran conflict on The Trusted Times.
