President Donald Trump will put Iran’s nuclear ambitions at the centre of his United Nations diplomacy next week, with talks planned with Gulf leaders and US officials warning of further consequences for entities doing business with Tehran.
Reported by:
Cherry Meigh Timbol
News Content Editor
Published September 19, 2026
NEW YORK — President Donald Trump is expected to make Iran’s nuclear ambitions a central focus of his upcoming address to the United Nations General Assembly, according to U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz.
Waltz said Trump plans to use his appearance before world leaders to argue that Iran must be prevented from obtaining a nuclear weapon. The president is scheduled to address the General Assembly next week as the conflict between Washington and Tehran continues and diplomatic efforts remain uncertain.
The speech will come against the backdrop of a continuing war with Iran, uncertainty surrounding the Strait of Hormuz and renewed international debate over Tehran’s nuclear program.
Iran’s Nuclear Program Takes Center Stage
According to Fox News Digital, Waltz said the president will focus on preventing Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon. Trump is also expected to discuss his administration’s efforts regarding Gaza, including its 20-point peace plan.
The issue has remained one of the most contentious aspects of U.S.-Iran relations. Reuters reported that the United Nations has been facing renewed disputes over mechanisms connected to sanctions on Iran and monitoring of its nuclear activities.
Russia and China also recently vetoed a U.S.-backed proposal concerning continued U.N. expert monitoring of sanctions against Iran.
Iran’s Leaders Also Heading to New York
Adding another layer to the diplomatic situation, the Trump administration has approved visas for senior Iranian officials to attend the U.N. high-level meeting.
The Associated Press reported that Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi are among the officials expected to attend despite the ongoing conflict between Washington and Tehran.
The presence of senior Iranian officials could provide opportunities for diplomatic contacts, although there has been no confirmed announcement of a direct Trump-Pezeshkian meeting.
War Continues to Shape Diplomacy
Trump’s speech comes while the war with Iran remains unresolved.
Reuters reported that the conflict has continued to weigh heavily on Trump’s upcoming appearance before world leaders. The president had previously highlighted U.S. military action against Iran’s nuclear facilities during his 2025 U.N. address.
More recently, Trump said he hoped the war was approaching its end.
That creates a complicated diplomatic backdrop for the upcoming General Assembly: Washington is simultaneously emphasizing the nuclear threat, pursuing military pressure and discussing the possibility of bringing the conflict to an end.
Strait of Hormuz and Energy Concerns
The nuclear dispute is also connected to the wider regional conflict and disruption around the Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for global energy shipments.
Fox News reported that Trump has said he expects Operation Epic Fury to end soon and that gasoline prices could fall once the conflict concludes.
The continuing uncertainty around the waterway has kept energy markets and governments focused on the possibility of further disruptions to oil supplies.
International Diplomatic Pressure
Trump’s appearance will take place as other major powers pursue different approaches to Iran.
Russia and China have opposed some U.S.-backed measures at the United Nations, while European countries have remained involved in efforts surrounding Iran’s nuclear commitments and sanctions.
The disagreements demonstrate how difficult it could be for Washington to build a unified international position on Iran.
At the same time, the presence of Iranian officials at the General Assembly means that representatives from both sides of the conflict will be in New York at the same time.
🧩 Bottom Line:
President Trump is preparing to place Iran’s nuclear ambitions at the center of his upcoming U.N. General Assembly address. With the Iran war continuing, senior Iranian officials also traveling to New York and disagreements among major powers over sanctions and nuclear monitoring, Trump’s speech will take place at a particularly consequential moment for international diplomacy.
SOURCES: FOX NEWS – Trump to put Iran nuclear threat at center of upcoming UN General Assembly speech
AP7AM – Trump to Put Iran’s nuclear ambitions at centre of UN diplomacy
