Archive · 22 Sep 2026
Trump to Defend Iran War During Whirlwind UN Meetings
Donald Trump is planning a very busy day at the United Nations.
He will give a speech and then meet at least 11 leaders.
A White House official says he will defend the war with Iran.
Trump is expected to say the war stopped Iran from getting a nuclear weapon.
He will also talk about trying to make peace in different conflicts.
One meeting will involve Ukraine and its continuing war.
Another meeting will involve Venezuela and whether it should hold new elections.
Trump will also meet leaders from Denmark and Greenland about a military agreement.
He is expected to speak with Gulf countries worried about attacks and threats to ships.
The article says his foreign-policy efforts have had mixed results and that his approval rating was 32 percent.
Trump is scheduled to address the UN General Assembly and meet at least 11 world leaders on Tuesday.
A White House official says Trump will argue that the Iran war prevented Tehran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.
His agenda includes Ukraine, Middle East instability, regional security, alliances and peace efforts.
Trump is expected to meet leaders from Britain, Ukraine, Venezuela, Denmark, Greenland and six Gulf states.
He will also discuss Venezuela’s political future and sign a Greenland accord aimed at increasing the US military presence.
- Who
- US President Donald Trump and leaders from Britain, Ukraine, Venezuela, Denmark, Greenland and the Gulf states.
- What
- Trump is scheduled to deliver a UN speech and hold at least 11 bilateral or group meetings.
- When
- Tuesday, after meeting French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday; the speech is scheduled for 9:55 a.m. ET.
- Where
- The United Nations General Assembly in New York.
- Why
- To defend the Iran war, promote Trump’s peace efforts and discuss Ukraine, regional security, alliances, Venezuela and Greenland.
Critics and Democratic Opponents
Trump Allies and Supporters
Iran war
Critics and Democratic Opponents
The articles say the war has driven up global fuel prices, hurt Trump’s approval rating and created political challenges for Republicans.
Trump Allies and Supporters
The White House says Trump will argue that the war prevented Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.
Venezuela policy
Critics and Democratic Opponents
Democrats and some Republicans say the administration has not done enough to press Venezuela for new elections.
Trump Allies and Supporters
Trump’s allies say the United States is working with Delcy Rodriguez to open Venezuela’s oil sector to US investment.
Greenland policy
Critics and Democratic Opponents
Danish and Greenland officials hope the accord ends Trump’s past suggestions that Greenland could be taken by force.
Trump Allies and Supporters
The agreement is presented as a way to expand the US military presence on Greenland and limit geopolitical adversaries’ presence.
Foreign-policy record
Critics and Democratic Opponents
Critics point to multiple wars, pressure on allies and mixed results from Trump’s attempts to broker conflicts.
Trump Allies and Supporters
Trump is expected to highlight his peace efforts and what the administration sees as progress toward a global order aligned with US interests.
- Scheduled meetings
- At least 11 meetings with world leaders, either bilaterally or in groups.
- Speech timing
- The UN address is scheduled for 9:55 a.m. ET, or 1355 GMT.
- Iran war message
- A White House official says Trump will argue that the war prevented Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.
- Gulf meeting
- Representatives of the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar are expected to participate.
- Venezuela meeting
- Trump is expected to meet interim leader Delcy Rodriguez for the first time.
- Greenland accord
- The agreement is designed to increase the US military presence on Greenland while limiting that of geopolitical adversaries.
- Approval rating
- A Reuters/Ipsos poll cited in the articles put Trump’s approval rating at 32 percent.