First Thing: Trump addresses UN with mixture of boasts, threats and jibes

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1. 50m ago

   Trump Addresses UN With Threats To Iran

   President Trump addressed the United Nations General Assembly with a mix of boasts, threats, and jibes, prominently featuring a warning regarding an ongoing conflict with Tehran. Trump laid out a winner-takes-all vision and questioned when he might completely destroy the nation of Iran. In response to the threats of annihilation, Iranian officials stated that the country will not surrender. Meanwhile, the United States and Iran held their first talks since June following the aggressive rhetoric from the American president at the global summit, while other world leaders largely avoided discussing the Iranian conflict in their own remarks.

   Why it matters

   The sharp escalation at the United Nations General Assembly highlights a deepening rift between Washington and Tehran as active conflict continues. While the American administration couples direct military warnings with fresh demands, the international community at the summit has shown signs of diplomatic resistance and reluctance to align with the White House stance. These developments follow months of strained relations, marked by the resumption of direct bilateral discussions between U.S. and Iranian representatives.

   What is confirmed

   • President Trump addressed the United Nations with a mixture of boasts, threats, and jibes.
   • Trump threatened the regime in Iran with annihilation during his speech to the UN General Assembly.
   • Pezeshkian stated that Iran will not surrender following the annihilation threat from Trump.
   • The United States and Iran held their first talks since June after the threats were issued.

   Still unconfirmed

   • Smoke and flames were seen at Riyadh Airport amid fresh demands by Trump to end the war by Tehran.

   What to watch next

   • Further direct talks or diplomatic contact between U.S. and Iranian representatives
   • Reactions and policy shifts from other world leaders at the United Nations General Assembly
   Sources used for this update (13)

   1. The Independent — Iran-US war latest: Trump issued fresh demands to end war by Tehran as smoke and flames seen at Riyadh Airport
   2. The Hill — Trump on Iran: ‘My question is, if and when do I blow the entire nation up?’
   3. CNN — Fact check: Trump’s false claims to the United Nations
   4. The New York Times — Trump Threatens Annihilation in Iran in UN Speech and Lays Out Winner-Takes-All Vision
   5. The New York Times — As Trump Lobs Threats, Other World Leaders Mostly Avoid Talk of Iran
   6. Politico — World shows hints of bucking Trump at the UN
   7. cbsnews.com — Iran War Updates: U.S. and Iran hold first talks since June after Trump threatens regime with annihilation
   8. The Guardian — First Thing: Trump addresses UN with mixture of boasts, threats and jibes
   9. NPR — U.S. ambassador to the U.N. discusses progress on key issues
   10. Reuters — Pezeshkian says Iran won't surrender, after Trump's annihilation threat
   11. The Guardian — Trump’s UN speech was delusional and dangerous | Kenneth Roth
   12. The New York Times — Opinion | Trump’s Threat to ‘Annihilate’ Iran
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