President Trump used his United Nations General Assembly address on Tuesday to threaten to annihilate Iran, defend his foreign policy record, and sign a trilateral security agreement with Greenland and Denmark that expands the U.S. military footprint in the Arctic. The roughly 35-minute speech in New York came as the war with Iran approaches its seven-month mark and as Trump seeks to close a Gaza peace plan and end Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The Greenland deal, signed on the sidelines of the assembly, grants the U.S. broad access to the island's airspace and territory and allows for the establishment of two new major military bases.

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President Trump delivered a wide-ranging address to the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday, using the global stage to issue a stark warning to Iran, defend his handling of international conflicts, and announce a new security agreement with Greenland and Denmark. The speech, which lasted about 35 minutes, came as the U.S. war with Iran nears its seven-month mark and as Trump navigates multiple ongoing crises, including efforts to broker a Gaza peace plan and end Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

On Iran, Trump said he has a big decision to make: whether to allow a deal that would let Tehran rebuild or to annihilate the Islamic Republic quickly. He framed his approach as a choice between giving Iran a chance at future greatness or driving it into hell with no chance of survival. Trump predicted that a deal would be made right after the U.S. midterm elections, according to CBS News. He justified his decision to begin the war as an effort to prevent Tehran from acquiring a nuclear weapon, recounting the run-up to the conflict and the failed negotiations over the past several months.

The speech also served as a defense of Trump's broader foreign policy, which he described as deploying American power to solve decades of intractable challenges that previous leaders failed to address. He argued that while others have talked, he has acted, and that he does not believe in letting problems fester. The address came before a series of sideline meetings with world leaders, including the U.K. prime minister and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Greenland Security Agreement

In a significant development, Trump signed a trilateral security agreement with Greenland Premier Jens-Frederik Nielsen and Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly. The White House released the text of the deal shortly after the signing ceremony. The agreement reaffirms Greenland's sovereignty as part of the Kingdom of Denmark but grants the U.S. broad access to the island's airspace and territory.

The plan allows the U.S. to expand the existing Pituffik Space Base, the northernmost U.S. military installation, which serves as an early-warning system for incoming missiles. Additionally, the U.S. can establish two new major military bases at Narsarsuaq and Mestersvig, which are roughly 950 miles apart. Trump said the U.S. will immediately begin developing a large military presence at appropriate locations. Any of the three parties can propose more defense areas as needed, subject to approval by the others.

The deal, which has no expiration date, also blocks non-NATO countries from establishing bases on the island without agreement from the parties. It intensifies screening for foreign investment from non-NATO and non-European Union members, a move aimed at blocking influence from China and Russia. The agreement persists even if Greenland eventually becomes independent from Denmark. The leaders of Greenland and Denmark emphasized that the deal reflects the changing security landscape in the Arctic.

Trump has long toyed with the possibility of acquiring Greenland, by force if necessary, drawing criticism from NATO allies. The new agreement represents a culmination of years of tensions over the future of the Danish territory, though it stops short of a transfer of sovereignty.

Why It Matters

The Greenland deal significantly expands the U.S. military footprint in the Arctic, a region of growing strategic competition with Russia and China. By securing access to additional bases and blocking non-NATO investment, the U.S. is cementing its presence in a critical area for missile defense and power projection. The agreement also reinforces Greenland's sovereignty while giving Washington broad authority, a delicate balance that could shape future relations with Denmark and the island's independence movement.

On Iran, Trump's threat to annihilate the Islamic Republic if no deal is reached raises the stakes for ongoing diplomatic efforts. His prediction of a deal after the U.S. midterm elections suggests a timeline that could be influenced by domestic politics. The war, which began in February, has already had far-reaching consequences, including disruptions to oil shipping and regional instability. Trump's remarks underscore his willingness to use military force to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon, a position that has both supporters and critics among allies.

Political Context

Trump's U.N. address comes at a pivotal moment in his second term. He is seeking to close a peace plan for the Gaza Strip between Israel and Hamas and has struggled to bring Russia's invasion of Ukraine to an end. The war with Iran, which he launched in February, will hit its seven-month mark next week. The conflict has overshadowed much of his foreign policy agenda, and his speech was seen as an attempt to tout his wins while addressing the ongoing crises.

Domestically, Trump's handling of foreign policy is likely to be a key issue in the upcoming midterm elections. His prediction that Iran will make a deal after the elections suggests he views the timing as politically advantageous. The Cuban delegation's walkout during his speech, after he called Cuba a failed state and said freedom will be coming to the island, highlights the polarized reception of his message on the world stage.

What Officials and Groups Are Saying

According to CBS News, Trump said during the signing ceremony that the U.S. will have a tremendous relationship and a secure relationship with Greenland and Denmark. He also said the U.S. will be working very hard and very much with the two parties. The leaders of Greenland and Denmark emphasized that the deal was a reflection of the changing security landscape in the Arctic.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, heading to the U.N. summit in New York, said he would firmly defend Iran's positions in the war and use the opportunity to convey Iran's plight, per CBS News. Reports that Iran is offering to reopen the Strait of Hormuz if the U.S. drops its naval blockade, and that a key Saudi oil pipeline damaged by drones is working again, appeared to keep oil prices on a weeklong downward trend.

The Cuban delegation walked out of the General Assembly as Trump called their country a failed state, according to NBC News. The U.K. military announced it will assist Saudi Arabia in its fight against the Iran-backed Houthi militia in Yemen by providing air-to-air refueling aircraft, according to the ministry of defense. The Houthis have been targeting Saudi-flagged oil tankers and energy infrastructure in solidarity with Iran's blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.

Timeline

  • February 2026: U.S. launches war with Iran.
  • September 22, 2026: Trump addresses U.N. General Assembly, threatens to annihilate Iran, and signs Greenland security agreement.
  • September 22, 2026: Cuban delegation walks out during Trump's speech.
  • Next week: War with Iran hits seven-month mark.
  • After U.S. midterm elections: Trump predicts a deal with Iran will be made.

Frequently Asked Questions

What did Trump say about Iran at the U.N.? Trump said he has a big decision to make: whether to make a deal with Iran or annihilate the Islamic Republic. He predicted a deal would be made after the U.S. midterm elections.

What does the Greenland security agreement entail? The trilateral deal between the U.S., Denmark, and Greenland reaffirms Greenland's sovereignty but gives the U.S. broad access to its airspace and territory. It allows the expansion of the Pituffik Space Base and the establishment of two new major bases at Narsarsuaq and Mestersvig.

Why did the Cuban delegation walk out? The Cuban delegation walked out of the U.N. General Assembly after Trump called Cuba a failed state and said freedom will be coming to the island.

How does the Greenland deal affect non-NATO countries? The agreement blocks non-NATO countries from establishing bases on the island without approval and intensifies screening for foreign investment from non-NATO and non-EU members, aimed at countering China and Russia.

What is the status of the Iran war? The war, which began in February 2026, will hit its seven-month mark next week. Trump is seeking to end it through a deal, but has threatened to annihilate Iran if no agreement is reached.

What Happens Next

Trump's U.N. address and the Greenland security agreement mark a significant expansion of U.S. military presence in the Arctic and a hardening of his stance on Iran. The coming weeks will be crucial as the war with Iran reaches its seven-month mark and as Trump continues to push for a Gaza peace plan and an end to the Ukraine conflict. The midterm elections could reshape the political calculus for any Iran deal, and the international community will be watching closely for signs of de-escalation or further confrontation. Readers should continue to follow this story as it develops, given its implications for global security and U.S. foreign policy.