Trump to Push Iran Sanctions Enforcement at UN General Assembly

President Donald Trump will address the United Nations General Assembly this week, aiming to secure greater international cooperation in enforcing sanctions against Iran and reiterating that Tehran will not obtain a nuclear weapon. U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Mike Waltz told Fox News Digital that the administration expects allies and Gulf leaders to fully enforce sanctions, warning of consequences for those who fail to comply.

"It's all of these countries actually enforcing the sanctions and what they're going to hear is there will be consequences for friend and foe," Waltz stated ahead of the gathering. "The president is doing this for the future security of the world."

The push for intensified economic pressure on Iran comes as the U.S.-Iran conflict enters its seventh month. European and Asian allies have largely resisted previous U.S. requests for assistance in the conflict, which began with U.S. and Israeli strikes in February. The war has disrupted energy markets, with Iran obstructing shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and its Houthi allies impacting a critical Red Sea shipping corridor.

Waltz highlighted the Iranian economy's struggles, citing the country's currency, inflation, and a U.S. naval blockade as factors. "One way or another, the president has been crystal clear on our goals here that Iran cannot and will not have a nuclear weapon."

This diplomatic effort occurs shortly after a UN Security Council vote where Russia and China blocked an effort to continue independent monitoring of international sanctions on Iran. Trump is also scheduled to meet with Gulf leaders to discuss regional security and their concerns.

UN Reforms and U.S. Engagement

The administration's focus on Iran is unfolding alongside its broader agenda to reform the United Nations. The U.S. recently paid $725 million toward the UN's regular budget and an additional $102 million for peacekeeping operations, reducing its outstanding debt and averting the immediate loss of its General Assembly voting rights. However, the U.S. still owes approximately $1.312 billion to the UN's regular budget.

Waltz described the administration's efforts to make the UN more efficient, noting over $1 billion in budget reductions, the cutting of approximately 3,000 headquarters positions, and a roughly 25% reduction in peacekeeping personnel. "We have the U.N. on a diet," he said.

Despite criticism of the organization, the U.S. does not intend to withdraw. "There's got to be one place in the world where everyone can come together and put diplomacy first and can actually talk," Waltz explained. "We don't ever want to see a U.N. in Beijing or Moscow or Brussels."

As an example of U.S. engagement, Waltz pointed to the UN-endorsed Board of Peace and the planned International Stabilization Force for Gaza, intended to support security and a postwar transition. The UN Security Council endorsed this plan and authorized the stabilization force in November 2025. The U.S. does not want American troops deployed in Gaza, emphasizing the use of international security operations to share the burden.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio is also scheduled to attend meetings at the UN from Sept. 20–23 to advance U.S. priorities and promote UN reform.

New Security Agreement with Greenland

Trump's arrival in New York follows the announcement of a new security agreement with Denmark and Greenland. This deal aims to expand the American military presence in the Arctic while restricting adversaries from establishing bases or making sensitive investments on the island. Denmark and Greenland have stated the arrangement will not compromise the island's sovereignty.

Waltz emphasized the strategic importance of the Arctic, noting melting ice opening new shipping routes and increasing access to resources. "It took some tough tweets, maybe some tough language," he remarked. "We now have an agreement with our ally Denmark."

World leaders are converging on New York for the 81st General Assembly's General Debate, which begins Tuesday and runs through Sept. 28. Discussions are expected to cover the war in Ukraine, the situation in Gaza, international security, and the UN's capacity to address global challenges. The administration's approach, as described by Waltz, is to "Make the U.N. great again."