Trump at UN: Iran, Ukraine and AI Dominate Speech

US President Donald Trump looks on at the end of his address, with United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and President of the UNGA Khalilur Rahman seated behind him, at the 81st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), in New York City, US, September 22, 2026.

US President Donald Trump used his address to the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday to defend the US-Israeli campaign against Iran and outline his administration's foreign policy priorities.

Here are the major issues he addressed during his 37-minute speech:

Iran

Trump warned that he could annihilate Iran without a peace deal and predicted that an agreement would be reached after the US midterm elections on 3 November, when the composition of Congress will be decided.

Ukraine

Regarding Russia's war in Ukraine, Trump said the United States was working closely with the leaders of Russia and Ukraine and expressed confidence that the conflict would be resolved.

"We're working very closely with the leaders of Russia and Ukraine, and we will get that one done," he said, adding that it would happen "more quickly than people understand."

Artificial intelligence

Trump said the US government would use the term "super intelligence" instead of artificial intelligence.

He repeated his view that warnings about AI safety were a hoax, claiming that the United States was far ahead of China and other countries in the sector.

"We're leading now over China by a lot and everyone else," he said. "I'm not going to stifle growth of something that will be bigger than the Industrial Revolution."

He added that US law enforcement agencies would intervene in the sector if necessary.

International Criminal Court

Trump urged countries that are members of the International Criminal Court to withdraw from the institution, which he described as "out of control."

He also condemned what he called "an evil group of people" and said the United States would not allow its military personnel to face what he described as show trials by an anti-American tribunal.

Drug wars

Trump said he was "reasserting American power" to make the region safer by targeting cartels designated as terrorist organisations by the United States.

"Like ISIS, they should be killed, exiled or detained as enemy combatants without the possibility of release," he said.

Venezuela

Trump described his administration's actions in Venezuela as a major victory and a warning to other countries.

"Our actions in Venezuela are proof that the United States will no longer permit threats to America to gain a foothold anywhere in the Western Hemisphere, and if necessary, we will use our unmatched military might to secure the vital national interests of the United States," he said.

Cuba

Trump called Cuba a failed state and said greater US involvement in the region would bring freedom to the island.

"Communism will never be coming to America, but freedom will be coming to Cuba," he said.

Members of the Cuban UN delegation walked out during the speech.

Mexico

Trump described Mexico as an epicentre of regional drug cartel violence.

The United Nations

Trump praised what he described as sweeping UN reforms under his administration, including budget cuts and staff reductions.

At the same time, he criticised international organisations and efforts to create global taxes.

"The United Nations has great, great potential. I've said that for many years. But it must stop imposing the far-left agenda of globalist bureaucrats who nobody ever elected," he said.