General debate opens with Iran at the centre
The 81st United Nations General Assembly opened its general debate in New York on September 22, and the war with Iran dominated the first day. President Donald Trump told delegates he had offered Tehran full economic cooperation in exchange for ending its nuclear programme and its support for armed groups, and that the offer was refused. He repeated that he will never allow Iran to obtain a nuclear weapon.
Oil escorts and a record resolution
Trump pointed to a Security Council resolution condemning attacks on commercial shipping, saying it attracted more co-sponsors than any such resolution in the council's history, and he called on other countries to join a complete economic isolation of Iran until it changes course. He said the United States Navy has recently escorted more than a billion barrels of oil out of the Strait of Hormuz and that more oil is moving than at any point in recent years. The speech came as Brent crude trades above $100 a barrel and insurers keep raising rates for vessels sailing through the region.
A rebrand for AI, and a walkout
On technology, Trump said he wants artificial intelligence to be renamed superintelligence, or SI, and described his administration's approach as encouraging the industry while urging other governments to lighten their rules. He also criticised what he called the UN's globalist agenda, said his administration had cut more than 4,000 UN positions during 2026, and repeated his opposition to the International Criminal Court and to global taxation. The Cuban delegation walked out of the hall after he described Cuba as a failed state.
Gaza, Ukraine and climate on the agenda
Other leaders used the week to press the assembly on Gaza, the war in Ukraine and climate finance. A UN-commissioned fact-finding mission presented a report to the Human Rights Council on the conflict with Iran, and aid groups pushed for funding as several humanitarian appeals remain short. The general debate continues through the week, with side meetings scheduled between Trump and several heads of state.