Archive · 23 Sep 2026
Iran Condemns Trump’s Annihilation Threat as Domestic Propaganda
Iran’s military leaders criticized President Donald Trump for threatening to destroy Iran.
They said his words were mainly meant to influence people inside the United States.
Iran also accused the United States of using the United Nations to defend its actions and create insecurity.
Trump said Iran might either make a deal or face military action.
He said a deal could help Iran rebuild and become stronger.
Trump also suggested Iran might wait until after the US midterm election to decide.
Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian said he would present Iran’s position strongly at the United Nations.
Trump discussed US Navy ships escorting oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz.
The statements came during the high-level debate of the 81st UN General Assembly in New York.
Iran’s military authorities called Donald Trump’s threats against Iran a tool for domestic propaganda.
Iran accused the United States of using the UN platform to justify aggression, create insecurity, and engage in piracy.
Trump presented Iran with a choice between reaching a deal and facing possible military action.
Trump said he believed an agreement could follow the US midterm election and allow Iran to rebuild.
Trump said the US Navy had escorted more than 1 billion barrels of oil through the Strait of Hormuz.
- Who
- Iran’s General Staff of the Armed Forces, the Central Headquarters of Khatam al-Anbiya, President Masoud Pezeshkian, and US President Donald Trump.
- What
- Iran condemned Trump’s threats as domestic propaganda, while Trump warned of possible military action if no agreement was reached.
- When
- On Tuesday, shortly after Trump addressed the UN General Assembly; the high-level debate was scheduled for September 22–26 and September 28.
- Where
- The statements concerned the United Nations General Assembly in New York and shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
- Why
- Iran said Trump was using threats and the UN platform to justify aggression and create insecurity; Trump said Iran needed to decide whether to reach a deal.
Iran’s Position
Trump’s Position
Meaning of the threats
Iran’s Position
Iranian military authorities said Trump’s hostile statements and repeated threats were primarily domestic propaganda and reflected US strategic difficulties.
Trump’s Position
Trump framed the issue as a major decision between reaching a deal with Iran and taking military action.
Role of the United Nations
Iran’s Position
Iran accused the United States of using the UN platform to justify aggression, create insecurity, and engage in piracy.
Trump’s Position
Trump used his UN address to discuss Iran, US naval operations, and a Security Council resolution condemning alleged Iranian attacks on commercial shipping.
Prospects for an agreement
Iran’s Position
Masoud Pezeshkian said Iran would raise concerns about alleged crimes, distrust, and unfulfilled commitments at international forums.
Trump’s Position
Trump said a deal could enable Iran to rebuild and become a greater country, and predicted an agreement might come after the US midterm election.
- Iranian military bodies
- General Staff of the Armed Forces and Central Headquarters of Khatam al-Anbiya
- Trump’s warning
- Trump said he might take military action, including annihilating the Islamic Republic, if no deal was reached.
- Iran’s response
- Iranian military authorities described the threats as a tool for domestic propaganda.
- Iranian president
- Masoud Pezeshkian said Iran would forcefully present its position at international forums.
- Oil shipments
- Trump said the US Navy had escorted more than 1 billion barrels of oil through the Strait of Hormuz.
- UN session
- The 81st UN General Assembly session used the theme “Restoring Trust, Managing Transformation: A United Nations That Delivers for All.”
- Meeting location
- New York
