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Trump threatens Iran annihilation; Pezeshkian vows defiance at UN

US President Donald Trump threatened to "annihilate" Iran at the UN General Assembly on September 22, 2026, if no peace deal is reached, while Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian delivered a defiant response on September 23, vowing Iran would not surrender on its nuclear program, missile defenses, or control of the Strait of Hormuz. The two leaders' stark rhetoric was followed by the first diplomatic talks between US and Iranian officials since a June ceasefire collapsed, with special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner meeting Iranian representatives for roughly three hours, though both sides remain far apart on core conditions for ending the nearly seven-month war.

Quick Facts

Trump threatens to annihilate Iran if no peace deal reached
Trump calls Iran 'the bully of the Middle East'
Iranian delegation walks out of Trump's UN speech within 10 minutes
Pezeshkian delivers defiant UN address, says Iran will not 'bend the knee'
Pezeshkian holds up photos of Supreme Leader Khamenei and 150+ school children killed

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At the United Nations General Assembly on September 22, 2026, US President Donald Trump warned of "annihilating" Iran if a peace deal is not reached, describing the country as "the bully of the Middle East" and threatening to "drive them into hell" if Tehran does not submit. Trump stated he would "never allow Iran to have a nuclear weapon" and called on other nations to join America in isolating Iran economically to force it to the negotiating table. The Iranian delegation walked out within 10 minutes of Trump's speech.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian responded on September 23 with a defiant address to the UN General Assembly, stating that Iran would never "bend the knee" and reiterating that his people have been "victims of terrorism" by the United States and Israel. Pezeshkian held up photos of the late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and more than 150 school children killed in the opening days of the war. He emphasized that Iran would not yield on its nuclear program, missile defenses, or control of the Strait of Hormuz, stating: "It cannot be the case that everyone benefits from the Strait of Hormuz while we are denied access." Pezeshkian also said Iran was "ready for dialogue and diplomacy and negotiations without accepting the language of force."

Despite the stark rhetoric, US officials and Iranian representatives held talks on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly. US special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner met with Iranian officials for approximately three hours—the first diplomatic contact since a June ceasefire collapsed. Trump said the meeting was "very good," though he acknowledged the Iranian representatives were "not the highest level." US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said such talks would need to have the potential to produce a positive outcome, including preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei downplayed the talks, saying they were "not anything new" and reaffirmed Tehran's demands: ending the US blockade of Iranian ports, releasing frozen Iranian assets, and ending the war on all fronts.

The nearly seven-month war began in late February with a US-Israel joint air campaign that killed Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Iran retaliated with missile and drone attacks on Israel and neighboring Gulf states hosting US bases. The conflict expanded to the Strait of Hormuz, where attacks on commercial shipping have occurred despite a June preliminary agreement that collapsed within weeks. A commercial vessel was struck in the Strait on September 23, killing one crew member.

Both sides remain far apart on core conditions for ending the conflict. The US maintains its focus on preventing Iranian nuclear weapons development. Iran insists on lifting the blockade, recovering frozen assets, and retaining some control over the Strait of Hormuz. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent characterized Iran as a "cornered animal" facing unprecedented economic and financial pressure through what he called a "sequencing" strategy combining military, blockade, and financial measures. Oil prices fluctuated in response to Iran's signals of openness to diplomacy, with Brent crude retreating 0.9% to $102.13 a barrel on reports of continued diplomatic engagement.

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Politics Iran and Middle East War White House and Trump Business World

#annihilation threat #threats #military conflict #economic sanctions #Pezeshkian #war #US-Iran conflict #sanctions #negotiations #military threats

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Why This Matters

Escalating rhetoric and limited diplomatic progress risk further military escalation in the Middle East, affecting global energy markets (Brent crude at $102.13/barrel), shipping security in the Strait of Hormuz, and sanctions enforcement mechanisms. The collapse of the June ceasefire and unresolved disputes over Iran's nuclear program, frozen assets, port blockades, and regional influence mean neither side has signaled willingness to accept the other's core demands, leaving the seven-month conflict trajectory uncertain.

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