Archive · 18 Sep 2026
Trump Threatens 'Annihilation' as Iran Leaders Receive Visas
Iranian leaders received permission to travel to the United States for a major United Nations meeting.
At the same time, President Donald Trump made a serious threat involving “annihilation.”
The article says Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth want U.S. military forces in the Middle East to stay at their current size.
This plan will last through the end of the year.
U.S. officials said the forces are being kept ready in case large-scale fighting starts again.
The report does not say that full-scale combat has resumed.
It describes a decision to remain prepared for that possibility.
Iranian leaders were granted visas ahead of the United Nations General Assembly.
President Donald Trump issued an “annihilation” threat, according to the article’s headline.
U.S. officials said American forces in the Middle East will remain at current levels through year-end.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Trump ordered the continued force posture, the report said.
The deployment is intended to keep U.S. forces prepared for a possible return to full-scale combat.
- Who
- President Donald Trump, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Iranian leaders, and U.S. officials are identified.
- What
- Iranian leaders received visas while U.S. forces were ordered to remain at current levels and prepare for possible renewed combat.
- When
- Ahead of the United Nations General Assembly and through the end of the year.
- Where
- The military posture concerns U.S. forces in the Middle East; the specific visa destination is not stated in the article content.
- Why
- U.S. forces are being kept at their current levels to remain prepared for a possible return to full-scale combat.
- Visa decision
- Iranian leaders received visas ahead of the United Nations General Assembly.
- Threat
- The headline describes President Donald Trump issuing an “annihilation” threat.
- U.S. force levels
- American forces in the Middle East will remain at their current levels.
- Duration
- The force posture is expected to continue through the end of the year.
- Orders
- The report says Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered the continued posture.
- Stated purpose
- The forces are to remain prepared for a possible return to full-scale combat.