President Donald Trump addressed the United Nations General Assembly, presenting Iran with a choice between negotiating a peace deal or facing potential military strikes, using language about potentially "annihilating" the Islamic Republic. This ultimatum approach reflects his foreign policy strategy of coercive diplomacy—threatening overwhelming force whilst keeping negotiations open. The conflict matters significantly because it has spiked global oil prices and undermined his approval ratings since military action began in February with Israel.

Trump defended the military campaign, arguing it has prevented Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons and demonstrated the value of what he termed "peace through strength." American officials held a "very productive" three-hour meeting with the Iranian delegation during the UN assembly, with Trump suggesting a deal might materialise after November's elections. In his broader address, Trump also committed to ending the Russia-Ukraine war and pledged the US would maintain technological supremacy in artificial intelligence, which he rebranded as "super intelligence."