Trump tells UN he faces 'big decision' on Iran deal or annihilation

September 22, 2026 at 08:25 PM2 min

This digest was compiled by AI from multiple sources — links to the originals are below.

President Trump told the UN General Assembly on Tuesday that he faces a decision whether to strike a deal with Iran or 'annihilate' the Islamic Republic. He predicted a deal after the US midterm elections and said Iran was stalling to see how he fares. His speech came as a CNN/SSRS poll showed 71% of voters disapprove of his foreign policy.

Key Facts

Trump said he has a 'big decision' on whether to make a deal with Iran or 'annihilate' the Islamic Republic, echoing a threat he made in the past.
A CNN/SSRS poll released Tuesday shows 71% of voters disapprove of Trump's handling of foreign affairs, the worst level of either of his presidencies.
Members of Iran's delegation walked out during Trump's speech at the UN General Assembly in New York.
Trump claimed Iran was stalling on negotiations 'to see how I do in the midterm election.'
Trump is set to meet with Gulf leaders on the sidelines of the UN gathering Tuesday to discuss Iran.

The Iran Decision

Trump told the UN General Assembly he faces a 'big decision' on whether to strike a deal with Iran or 'annihilate' the Islamic Republic. He predicted Iran and the US will strike a deal after the midterm elections, his latest prediction after repeatedly claiming the war was nearly over. Trump said Iran was stalling on negotiations 'to see how I do in the midterm election,' but added he gives 'absolutely no credence' to the election when it comes to Iran. He said the only thing that matters is that 'Iran will never have a nuclear weapon.'

Domestic Disapproval

A CNN/SSRS poll released Tuesday shows 71% of voters disapprove of Trump's handling of foreign affairs, the worst level of either of his presidencies. More than three-quarters (76%) say the war in Iran has not been worth its cost on American lives or its financial burden. When CNN asked a similar question about the war in Iraq more than 20 years ago, that share never topped 56%.

UN Speech and Diplomacy

Members of Iran's delegation walked out during Trump's speech at the UN General Assembly in New York. Trump also targeted 'global government', vowed to broker peace between Russia and Ukraine, and said the US will win the artificial intelligence race. His tone contrasted with remarks by UN Secretary General António Guterres, who warned global divisions were deepening. Trump is set to meet with Gulf leaders on the sidelines of the global gathering Tuesday to discuss what's to come in Iran.