Iran · updated 24m ago · 3 min read
Trump Accuses Iran Of Killing 72,000, Warns Over Nuclear And Missile Threats At UNGA
Trump accused Iran's regime of killing over 72,000 Iranians in 2026. He warned of annihilating Iran or pursuing a deal, calling it a big decision.
Whether the key development is media access or UN diplomacy.
4 of 5 outlets skipped it: white House blocks CNN video pool camera for Trump’s UN trip.
NBC News was read line by line by the Watchdog: 6.9. See the score →
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Axios
“The White House press pool will not send a replacement camera in lieu of CNN to cover the president's trip”Read the original ↗
ABC News
“Trump is set to meet with Gulf leaders on Tuesday, many of whom have borne the brunt of the economic impacts of the war.”Read the original ↗
Axios foregrounds media access restrictions, while ABC and AP emphasise diplomacy and Iran-war maritime impacts.
Trump threatens Iran at UN
President Donald Trump accused the Iranian regime of killing more than 72,000 of its own citizens in 2026, including 10,000 during recent protests, during his speech before the United Nations General Assembly. Trump said the United States launched the “Midnight Hammer” operation and that it eliminated the Iranian nuclear program, while he also said U.S. forces destroyed 159 Iranian ships in the “Epic Rage” operation. Trump renewed his vow to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon, and he urged all countries to join what he described as the “full economic embargo” on Iran until it stops attacking merchant ships, abandons its nuclear ambitions, and supports terrorism.
Trump told the UN leaders that Washington has begun negotiations with Tehran and offered economic cooperation in exchange for halting its nuclear program and support for terrorism, but he said Iran rejected the offer. Trump warned that Iran is working on producing a missile capable of reaching Europe and urged European countries to take this into account.
Negotiations and war timeline
U.S. Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz told CNN's “State of the Union” that Trump “truly values hearing from them and hearing their concerns” directly as Trump met with Gulf leaders impacted by the war with Iran.
Waltz said the attacks on cargo in key shipping channels such as the Strait of Hormuz and Bab al-Mandeb Strait would be discussed at the UN General Assembly, framing the agenda around “freedom of the seas” and “freedom of navigation.”
The 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly is set to kick off with the general debate on Tuesday, with speeches from Trump, UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham, and French President Emmanuel Macron.
Top Iranian officials are set to attend the assembly, and Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian will be allowed to attend, while there are not plans for the president to meet with Iranian officials.
The UN released a report finding “reasonable grounds” to believe that the U.S. carried out two strikes in Iran that resulted in civilian casualties, and a State Department official rejected the findings, saying they “do not give credibility” to its findings.
Deal threat and UN security
Donald Trump told leaders gathered in New York that he faced “a big decision,” presenting negotiating with Iran or resorting to a broader-scale military action as the two options on the table.
“Or do I annihilate the Islamic Republic and do it quickly?”
Trump asked, “Or do I annihilate the Islamic Republic and do it quickly?” as he warned that he would not allow Tehran to pose a threat again.
Trump is expected to defend his war on Iran at the UN, and Daniel Forti of the International Crisis Group said, “no one knows what Trump will say, not even his speechwriters.”
The speech is expected to assert military victories and promote Trump as a peacemaker, while the economic and political fallout of the war in the Middle East weighs on the international stage.
Trump was scheduled to speak at 10 a.m. Tuesday at the United Nations General Assembly in New York City, as thousands of NYPD officers and specialized units were deployed around U.N. headquarters and road closures were expected throughout the week.