Former President Donald Trump addressed world leaders at the United Nations General Assembly in New York, urging a unified international effort to isolate Iran and reduce global energy prices. Speaking on the opening day of the high-level week, Trump called for the “complete economic isolation of Iran,” asserting that a united front would soon end what he described as the “51-year menace of Iranian terror” and lead to a significant drop in oil prices.
Trump’s remarks came amid ongoing geopolitical tensions, including conflicts involving Iran’s control over the Strait of Hormuz, a critical energy shipping route, and the broader impact of the war in Ukraine on energy markets. He warned that Iran’s nuclear ambitions must be prevented, stating that he faced a stark choice between negotiating a deal or “annihilating” the Islamic Republic to forestall further regional threats. Trump claimed that his decisions on Iran would not be influenced by domestic politics, emphasizing, “I’m not running” in upcoming elections.
In addition to his statements on Iran, Trump announced an agreement between the United States and Denmark to build two new U.S. military bases in Greenland. The deal was signed at the UN by Trump alongside the prime ministers of Greenland and Denmark, Jens-Frederik Nielsen and Mette Frederiksen. Trump described the bases as essential to defending North America, Europe, and other regions, and warned that no adversaries would be allowed to establish a military presence or make critical investments in Greenland without U.S. approval. The move marks the culmination of more than a year of negotiations and has generated unease among NATO allies.
Trump also addressed concerns about artificial intelligence, rejecting calls to regulate its development and dismissing warnings of uncontrolled AI growth as a “hoax.” He framed AI advancement as a transformative innovation, comparing it to the Industrial Revolution, and pledged not to impede its progress.
Further, Trump defended U.S. military readiness, dismissing claims of shortages in munitions by stating the country has “more munitions than we could ever possibly even think of using.” He criticized the International Criminal Court, labeling it a “rogue organization,” and reiterated that he was close to resolving the war in Ukraine, though he offered no specific details.
During his visit, Trump also referenced U.S. actions in Venezuela, defending a raid conducted to capture former president Nicolás Maduro and highlighting a newly struck oil-sharing agreement with Maduro’s successor, Delcy Rodríguez. Trump characterized the arrangement as a reward for "victory," facilitating American access to Venezuela’s oil resources.
Following his speech, Trump was expected to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to discuss potential energy truce measures aimed at stemming rising diesel prices linked to disruptions in supply, including those stemming from Iran’s activities in the Strait of Hormuz. He was also scheduled to meet with Gulf leaders affected by Iran’s actions in retaliation to U.S. and Israeli policies.
Trump’s address revisited many themes from his prior tenure, underscoring his administration’s approach to global security, energy policy, and economic sanctions, while signaling continued U.S. military and diplomatic engagement in strategically sensitive regions.