US President Donald Trump delivered a speech at the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, where he made several claims about Iran. He described Iran as the "primary sponsor of terrorism" and accused the Iranian government of promoting violence and chaos in the Middle East and beyond for 51 years. Trump emphasized his commitment to preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, a stance he has maintained since taking office.

Trump revealed that he had engaged in negotiations with Iran and offered economic cooperation in exchange for the country ending its nuclear program and support for terrorism. However, he claimed that Iran rejected this offer. The US President also mentioned a military operation, referred to as "Operation Nightingale," which he said destroyed Iran's nuclear program. According to Trump, the operation resulted in significant damage to Iran's economy, with inflation reportedly exceeding 300%.

During his speech, Trump also raised concerns about Iran's missile development program. He alleged that Iran is working on a missile capable of reaching Europe and urged European nations to take this into consideration. Trump warned that Iran's pursuit of nuclear capabilities through its ballistic missile program poses a threat to international security. He emphasized that the US had intervened to prevent what he described as a "nuclear nightmare" that could have affected not only the US but also other countries.

Trump further accused the Iranian government of killing thousands of its own citizens, citing reports of over 72,000 deaths this year, including 10,000 in recent protests. He claimed that the US had provided Iran with opportunities to reach an agreement before taking military action. The US President mentioned that the US military had destroyed 159 Iranian ships, as well as air force, radar, and defense systems, drones, and manufacturing capabilities.

The speech comes ahead of a meeting between Trump and Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, who arrived in New York on Tuesday to attend the UN General Assembly. Trump invited Iran to negotiate a new agreement, warning that there are consequences for not doing so. The US President stated that significant developments regarding Iran will occur soon.

In response to Trump's claims, it is worth noting that the details of the alleged offers and military operations have not been independently verified. The Iranian government has consistently denied US allegations of supporting terrorism and pursuing nuclear weapons. The situation remains a point of contention between the US and Iran, with implications for regional and global security.

The international community remains concerned about the situation between the US and Iran. The UN and other global powers have been working to address issues related to Iran's nuclear program and its activities in the region. A resolution to the tensions between the US and Iran could have significant implications for international relations and global stability.

Key points

  • Trump claims Iran rejected an offer of economic cooperation in exchange for ending its nuclear program and support for terrorism.
  • The US President accused Iran of promoting violence and chaos in the Middle East and beyond for 51 years.
  • Trump warned that Iran's pursuit of nuclear capabilities through its ballistic missile program poses a threat to international security.

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SaharaWire Newsroom
SaharaWire

Reporting for SaharaWire from the Nairobi bureau.