Trump, Iran Exchange Threats Ahead of UN General Assembly

President Donald Trump and Iranian leaders have intensified their war of words with a fresh round of threats as both nations prepare to converge for the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).

Trump stated in a Fox News interview on Sunday that he was considering options for dealing with Iran, including "wiping Iran out, letting them rot economically, or making a deal." He warned Iran to "better behave," indicating that "very big things" would occur without offering further specifics.

In response, a spokesperson for Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), Hossein Mohebbi, warned that Tehran would deploy "new weapons and capabilities" if the U.S. launched further attacks. "If a new aggression takes place, we will definitely change the weapons and geography of the war," Mohebbi stated, according to Iran's Fars news agency.

These exchanges follow a recent escalation of active hostilities between the U.S. and Iran over the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global oil transit route. Meaningful negotiations between the two countries have been stalled for weeks since the collapse of a memorandum of understanding signed in June. The situation has been further complicated by attacks from Yemen’s Houthi rebels, who have targeted Saudi Arabia and captured Perim Island in the Bab El-Mandeb Strait, another vital maritime trade route.

Experts suggest the upcoming UNGA gathering, which will include delegations from Iran, the U.S., and key Gulf states, presents an opportunity to deescalate the situation and potentially revive peace efforts, though progress remains a challenge.

"This week in New York, there is an opportunity, especially for the mediating countries, to try to prevent tensions from once again spiraling, and potentially this time spiraling out of control," said Ali Vaez, deputy program director for the Middle East and North Africa at the International Crisis Group. "It's the last best opportunity to try to prevent an escalation either in October or in November."

UN General Assembly Meeting

Senior officials expected at the UN meeting include President Trump, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and U.S. Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi will also attend as part of a reduced delegation. Both Trump and Pezeshkian are scheduled to address the assembly.

Vaez indicated that any efforts to restart peace talks would likely depend on mediation by Gulf states. Trump is slated to meet with leaders from the Gulf Cooperation Council—an alliance comprising Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, and Bahrain—on the sidelines of the UN gathering. Discussions are anticipated to focus on strategies for the post-conflict period with Iran.

Qatar is expected to play a significant role in mediation, with support from countries such as Saudi Arabia, Oman, Turkey, Pakistan, and Egypt. "All depends on whether the mediating countries would be able to find a mutually acceptable formula," Vaez commented on the possibility of an agreement, noting the current lack of overlap in demands between the U.S. and Iran.

Sanam Valki, director of the Middle East and North Africa Programme at Chatham House, agreed that Gulf states are more likely to mediate. However, she noted that a direct exchange between U.S. and Iranian delegations is a slim possibility. "The big question out there is: Will there be some sort of surprise encounter between the Iranians and the U.S.?" Valki posed.

Trump has expressed willingness to meet with Pezeshkian during the UN gathering. Beyond direct or mediated discussions, Vaez suggested a potential UN Security Council Resolution concerning the Iran conflict could emerge. Such a resolution, unlike a memorandum of understanding, would be legally binding, compelling both parties to adhere to specific conditions.

Potential Impact of UN Meeting

"This is a very important week at UNGA for regional states, as well as the Iranians themselves, to try and roll back or manage how things evolve," Valki stated. "The President is very clearly weighing and considering the military options that are on his desk, which include not just responding to the Houthis, but another round of serious and severe strikes against the Islamic Republic."

If a direct exchange between the U.S. and Iranian delegations were to occur, Valki described it as a "big deal," signifying the Iranian president's willingness to risk domestic backlash to establish a direct line to the Trump administration.

Up to this point, both sides have pursued "maximalist outcomes with minimal concessions." Valki suggested that direct engagement could signal a more transformative policy approach from Iran, moving beyond the reactive stances of hardliners.

Vaez proposed that Trump could offer concessions such as lifting naval blockades on Iranian ports, easing sanctions, or releasing frozen assets. "That's what the President can put on the table... The most important thing for Iranians is economic reprieve and that's precisely where President Trump has tremendous leverage."

A security council resolution could offer assurances regarding the stability of a new understanding between Iran and the U.S., potentially establishing an observer mission to manage disputes. However, Vaez expressed skepticism about the likelihood of a significant breakthrough in the stalled negotiations, citing "very serious differences, and there's deep mistrust."