# Trump's U.N. Speech Escalates Iran Threats and Attacks Global Justice

> The president threatens to annihilate Iran, condemns the International Criminal Court, and expands U.S. military reach across the Arctic.
- Title: Trump's U.N. Speech Escalates Iran Threats and Attacks Global…
- Summary: The president threatens to annihilate Iran, condemns the International Criminal Court, and expands U.S. military reach across the Arctic. Trump used the U.N…
- Keywords: donald trump, iran, united nations general assembly, international criminal court, war crimes, greenland, arctic security, u.s. military expansion, european union, philippines trade deal, chagos islands, diego garcia
- Source: Foreign Policy — https://foreignpolicy.com/2026/09/22/trump-unga-speech-annihilate-iran-icc-rogue-war-crimes
- Author: Alexandra Sharp
- Read time: 3 min
- Topics: donald trump, iran, united nations general assembly, international criminal court, war crimes, greenland, arctic security, u.s. military expansion, european union, philippines trade deal, chagos islands, diego garcia
## Trump poses annihilation ultimatum
At the U.N. on Tuesday, Trump gave Iran a choice: make a deal or face annihilation. Experts say such threats could constitute war crimes.

> Do I drive them into hell with no chance of survival and no hope of future greatness or generations?
## White House rejects U.N. war crimes findings
Last week, the Trump administration dismissed a U.N. fact-finding mission that found reasonable grounds the U.S. military committed war crimes in February strikes on an Iranian school and sports facility.
## Trump attacks U.N. human rights work
Trump called the U.N. Human Rights Council craven hypocrites for failing to speak against Christian persecution, continuing his pattern of denouncing the institution's justice-seeking bodies.
## Trump declares ICC an evil rogue tribunal
Trump called the International Criminal Court an evil, anti-American, out-of-control institution and urged all member countries to resign immediately.

> You're an evil group of people.
## Trump's tone shifts from last year's speech
This year's address was more conciliatory than last year's vitriolic speech. Trump praised U.S.-led reforms that cut the U.N.'s budget and eliminated thousands of jobs.
## Iran war could lower oil prices, Trump says
Trump framed the Iran conflict as a path to global energy stability, claiming that standing united against Iranian terror would drive oil prices down even lower than at the conflict's start.
## U.S. will act alone if necessary, Trump warns
Trump made clear the U.S. doesn't need U.N. approval or global support to achieve its war aims, hinting a deal with Iran could come after November midterm elections.
## Trump condemns Russia-Ukraine war
Among other topics, Trump condemned the Russia-Ukraine war during his speech, though he offered no new policy proposals on the conflict.
## U.S. expands military presence in Greenland
Denmark, Greenland, and the U.S. signed a deal Tuesday expanding American military access to the Arctic territory. The U.S. can now expand Pituffik Space Base and establish two new bases at Narsarsuaq and Mestersvig.
## Greenland deal bars non-NATO base construction
The agreement prevents non-NATO members from building bases on Greenland without permission from the U.S., Denmark, and Greenland. The deal remains in effect even if Greenland becomes independent.
## E.U. strikes trade deal with Philippines
The European Union reached an initial free-trade agreement with the Philippines on Tuesday, eliminating over 94 percent of tariffs on both sides. A final deal is expected in several months.
## E.U. pivots to Asia amid Trump tariff threats
The Philippines deal signals the E.U.'s strategy to compensate for Trump's trade war. The bloc has also concluded deals with Indonesia and India, and is in talks with Malaysia and Thailand.
## Trump slams U.K. Chagos Islands deal
Trump called the U.K.'s agreement to give Mauritius sovereignty over the Chagos Islands a terrible deal, citing the strategic importance of Diego Garcia military base for Middle East operations.

> I think the prime minister is going to be looking at it.
## Burnham stays silent on Chagos criticism
British Prime Minister Andy Burnham offered little response to Trump's attack on the Chagos Islands deal, only saying mmm, yup after Trump's lengthy criticism.

> Mmm, yup.
## Key takeaway

Trump used the U.N. stage to escalate rhetoric against Iran, attack international justice institutions, and advance military expansion while signaling the U.S. will act unilaterally.