President Donald Trump told the U.N. General Assembly on Tuesday that he faced a choice between reaching a deal with Iran and “annihilat[ing] the Islamic Republic.” He urged other nations to isolate Iran economically.
Trump called for “complete economic isolation” until Iran stops attacking commercial shipping, gives up its nuclear ambitions and ends its support for terrorism. He predicted a deal after the U.S. midterm elections, saying Iran’s leaders were waiting to see the results.
“complete economic isolation”
Trump also described an agreement with Denmark and Greenland that he said would give the United States permanent control over Greenland’s security and “all other needs” on the territory. He said it would be signed later Tuesday.
A Roll Call Factba.se transcript records the roughly 38-minute address. It does not independently verify Trump’s claims about military operations, casualties, economic figures or the terms of agreements he described.
Iran
Trump said he offered Iran economic cooperation after taking office last year in exchange for ending its nuclear program and support for terrorism. Iran refused, he said. He asserted that the U.S. military later destroyed its nuclear program in Operation Midnight Hammer.
In Trump’s account, Operation Epic Fury sank all 159 ships in Iran’s navy and eliminated its air force, radar and antiaircraft equipment. He put the country’s inflation rate at more than 300%.
Trump accused Iran of violating a ceasefire intended to allow nuclear talks by attacking civilian ships from other countries. He thanked the U.N. Security Council for passing a resolution condemning the attacks.
The U.S. Navy has escorted more than 1 billion barrels of oil through the Strait of Hormuz, Trump said. He claimed oil was flowing through the waterway at its highest rate since the war began.
Trump also alleged that Iran’s government had killed more than 72,000 of its citizens this year, including 10,000 people killed for protesting. The transcript provides no independent support for those figures.
After suggesting Iran was waiting for the midterm results, Trump said the election “doesn’t even enter my mind” in deciding what to do about the country. He also said 18 U.S. munitions plants were under construction.
Greenland and NATO
Under the Greenland agreement Trump described, U.S. adversaries would need written American approval to establish a military presence or make sensitive investments there. He said the United States would build two major bases on the territory.
Trump said the arrangement would protect Europe and strengthen NATO. He also praised NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte and referred to an increase in the alliance’s spending target from 2% to 5%.
Gaza, Ukraine and Other Conflicts
Trump credited steps taken during last year’s General Assembly with ending the war in Gaza weeks later and securing the return of all remaining hostages, living and dead. He thanked the Security Council for endorsing his 20-point Gaza peace plan and approving a Board of Peace that he chairs.
Nearly 30 countries have joined the board, Trump said. He named governments he said had contributed money or pledged personnel and training for relief, rebuilding and stabilization in Gaza.
Trump said he had helped settle eight wars since taking office. His examples included conflicts involving Cambodia and Thailand, Kosovo and Serbia, Congo and Rwanda, Pakistan and India, Armenia and Azerbaijan, and Gaza.
On Russia’s war in Ukraine, Trump predicted an agreement would come “more quickly than people understand.” He claimed about 25,000 people, mostly soldiers, were dying each month across both sides.
Trump said a law he signed last week gave him new tariff authority that he could use to help stop the fighting. He also credited first lady Melania Trump with helping return displaced Ukrainian and Russian children to their families.
Venezuela, Cartels and Cuba
Trump said U.S. forces entered Caracas in January and arrested Nicolás Maduro at a fortified military base. He claimed hundreds of Venezuelan political prisoners had since been freed.
The United States signed an oil agreement with Venezuela last month covering 65 billion barrels, Trump said. He called it the largest oil deal in history and added, “To the victor belong the spoils.”
“To the victor belong the spoils.”
Trump said U.S. strikes on cartel boats had reduced drugs arriving by sea by 97%. He also said U.S. forces had killed the leader of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua three months ago. The transcript does not verify either assertion.
He called Mexico the center of regional cartel violence but described the U.S. relationship with its government as very good. Trump also predicted Cuba’s communist government would fall and said Secretary of State Marco Rubio was negotiating with Cuba.
The U.N., International Court and AI
Trump claimed his administration had cut the U.N. budget by 15% in 2026 and eliminated more than 4,000 positions. He urged member nations to leave the International Criminal Court and criticized U.N. human rights officials over immigration and transgender policies.
On artificial intelligence, Trump rejected international controls and said U.S. government documents would use “superintelligence” instead. He said the Justice Department would monitor the technology while his administration encouraged its growth.
Trump opened the address with claims about his domestic record, including more than 1 million new private-sector jobs and a record low poverty rate. He closed by urging nations to act together in defense of peace, prosperity and justice.
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