Trump says Iran deal nearing after UN talks as Tehran sets conditions to reopen Strait of Hormuz
President Donald Trump said U.S. and Iranian officials held a “very good” three-hour meeting at the U.N. General Assembly, while Tehran offered to reopen the Strait of Hormuz within days if Washington lifts its maritime blockade, releases frozen Iranian assets and ends military operations across the region.
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Iranian president arrives in NY for UN General Assembly as major protest planned
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian arrived in New York City on Tuesday for the United Nations General Assembly.
Iranian state media confirmed the arrival ahead of a series of high-level diplomatic engagements, including bilateral meetings and an address to the General Assembly on Wednesday.
Opposition groups also announced demonstrations outside U.N. headquarters ahead of his U.N. attendance on Wednesday.
Several former U.S. officials and foreign policy figures are expected to address the NCRI rally, including Rudy Giuliani and Bob Torricelli, a former U.S. senator.
Trump attends UN dinner, first meeting with Venezuela's Delcy Rodríguez
President Donald Trump arrived at the Lotte New York Palace Hotel for a reception with leaders and senior officials from around the world Tuesday, The Associated Press reported.
Trump is expected to meet with Venezuelan interim President Delcy Rodríguez at the gathering.
It will be the first meeting between the two leaders since Trump ordered a U.S. military operation in January that captured then-President Nicolás Maduro.
Maduro is currently held at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, New York.
Iranian airlines face global flight squeeze as US secondary sanctions take hold
Iranian carriers and foreign airlines, including Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) and Turkish Airlines, have halted flights or face restrictions on service between Iran and key hubs, including Baghdad, Muscat and Baku.
The disruptions come amid sweeping U.S. sanctions targeting Iran’s aviation sector and warnings of secondary sanctions against companies that continue providing services to Iranian carriers.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said that starting Sept. 23, Iranian airlines would effectively be shut out of international operations as companies face the threat of secondary U.S. sanctions for servicing the carriers.
Washington has warned foreign governments, airports, fuel suppliers, ground-handling companies and ticket sellers that servicing Iranian carriers could expose them to secondary sanctions, including being cut off from the U.S. dollar system.
US, Iran wrap ‘lengthy’ indirect UN talks as mediators shuttle between sides: Witkoff
U.S. and Iranian officials engaged in "lengthy" indirect talks on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly in New York on Tuesday, special envoy Steve Witkoff said.
“Today, on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly, we engaged in lengthy talks with the Iranian delegation through the mediators, who shuttled between the two sides throughout the day,” Witkoff said in a post shared on X.
Witkoff also said officials “successfully completed a round of discussions” that Washington hopes will prove constructive and promising.
“The mediators will continue their work,” he added.
Thousands rally outside UN demanding end to Iran executions, calling for democratic republic
Thousands of Iranian Americans and supporters of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) gathered outside United Nations headquarters on Tuesday, demanding an end to executions in Iran as world leaders attended the U.N. General Assembly.
Protestors called for an end to capital punishment for political prisoners and urged the international community to hold the Islamic Republic accountable.
They also called for the establishment of a free, democratic republic in Iran.
Maryam Rajavi, the NCRI’s president-elect, criticized the Iranian delegation attending the annual summit and called for regime change.
"Iran's seat belongs to the people of Iran and to their legitimate resistance for peace, freedom, and a democratic republic," Rajavi said in a post shared on X.
The protest came ahead of Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian's scheduled address to the General Assembly on Wednesday.
"Demonstrators will counter Pezeshkian’s appearance by voicing the Iranian people's opposition to the ruling theocracy and calling for an immediate end to the regime's escalating campaign of political executions, systemic repression, terrorism, and nuclear ambitions," an NCRI spokesperson told Fox News Digital.
According to the group, protesters back an NCRI provisional government anchored by Rajavi’s 10-Point Plan.
The NCRI also calls for popular sovereignty, free elections, separation of religion and state, gender equality, abolition of the death penalty and a non-nuclear Iran.
Netanyahu blasts Macron’s Hamas claim as ‘grotesque absurdity’ after fiery UN remarks
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu slammed Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday following the French president’s address to the United Nations General Assembly, calling his remarks on Hamas’ presence in the West Bank a “grotesque absurdity.”
Earlier in the day, Macron had questioned Israeli security operations in the West Bank, claiming that “Hamas was never very active in the West Bank.”
“The grotesque absurdity of Emmanuel Macron’s statement is staggering,” Netanyahu’s office said in a statement shared on X.
“On Sunday, the eve of Yom Kippur, just two days ago, Netanel Shukrun — a FRENCH CITIZEN and father of six — was murdered in his car by a Hamas terrorist in Judea and Samaria. With his final breath, he told his son to run,” the statement said.
“Ignorance is NO EXCUSE for erasing their blood,” the office added.
Macron also said in his speech that those who claim Israel’s security requires violating the sovereignty of neighboring states are making a “very fateful error.”
Battle-tested Zelenskyy sounds chilling alarm on where Putin’s war could head next
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned Tuesday that Russia could launch attacks against other European countries, telling Fox News Digital that the risk of a new offensive is "very high" as Moscow seeks to undermine European unity and weaken support for Ukraine.
Speaking to reporters following his meeting with President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, Zelenskyy was asked by Fox News Digital about the possibility that Russia could invade or attack another European country in the near future.
"That's why the risk of offensive by drones, missiles or land operation is very high against other countries who are bordering Russia or Belarus," Zelenskyy said.
The Ukrainian leader argued that Russian President Vladimir Putin, unable to achieve his military objectives in Ukraine, could seek to create instability elsewhere in Europe to pressure Western governments into reducing their support for Kyiv.
"How to divide unanimity in Europe? ... To attack somebody else. To attack and say, look, I will go further if you will not stop this," Zelenskyy said.
He pointed to drone incursions and disruptions affecting several European countries, arguing that Moscow is already attempting to intimidate European societies and test their response.
This is an excerpt from a report by Fox News Digital's Efrat Lachter.
Iran threatens 'consequences' for European nations that help US launch attacks
Iran warned European nations hosting U.S. military bases Tuesday that facilitating attacks on the country would bring consequences.
Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi also told his Italian counterpart, Antonio Tajani, that American unilateralism threatens global stability during a meeting on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly.
“The Iranian foreign minister warned of the dangerous consequences that the normalization of law-breaking and aggressive U.S. unilateralism poses to the rule of law,” the Foreign Ministry said in a statement, according to Iran International.
Following the meeting, Tajani also said the two officials discussed negotiations to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
“The memorandum from last June has shown that an agreement is possible, and Italy will continue to support every step to enable the full resumption of freedom of navigation and the end of the conflict,” Tajani said in a post on X.
Iran lays out conditions for reopening Hormuz in talks with Witkoff at UN: state media
Iran laid out conditions for reopening the Strait of Hormuz during a meeting with U.S. officials Tuesday on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly, according to reports.
Reuters, citing Iranian state media, reported that Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi met with U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff and shared Iran’s conditions for reopening the strategic waterway.
To reopen the strait, Tehran called for the immediate lifting of the naval blockade, the release of frozen Iranian assets and an end to the war across all “resistance” fronts, state media reported.
“Iran's firm positions were conveyed to the U.S. representatives in this meeting,” Iranian state television said, according to Axios.
IRGC dismisses Trump UN remarks as ‘tool for domestic propaganda’: state media
President Donald Trump’s remarks on Iran at the U.N. General Assembly were only intended to boost his domestic political messaging Iran’s Armed Forces General Staff and the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, the country’s operational commandssaid Tuesday, Reuters reported.
“The U.S. president’s rhetoric does not change the calculations of power and will never compensate for this country’s diminished position in the emerging world order or America’s humiliating defeats in the war against Iran and the resistance front,” they said in a statement carried by state media.
The military also said Iran was fully prepared to deliver “more severe, crushing and unpredictable” strikes against the United States and Israel in response to further attacks, Iran International reported.
Suspicious package prompts building evacuations, street closures near UN in NYC
Buildings were evacuated Tuesday as the NYPD investigated a suspicious package near East 43rd Street and Third Avenue in Manhattan, blocks from the United Nations, where world leaders gathered for the U.N. General Assembly.
Unconfirmed reports first indicated the package may have been an unattended suitcase.
The NYPD closed East 42nd Street through East 44th Street between Second and Lexington avenues.
The NYPD had also urged the public to avoid the area around East 43rd Street and Third Avenue, warning of road closures and delays in a post shared on X.
Police at the scene confirmed the building evacuations without specifying which or a number.
Later when the scene cleared and the streets reopened, NYPD officers told Fox News they could not provide information about the suspicious package, including its location or what it contained.
President Donald Trump was among the world leaders at the U.N. on Tuesday, addressing the General Assembly and holding meetings with foreign leaders on the sidelines.
Fox News Digital's Morgan Phillips and Sandy Ibrahim contributed to this report.
US warns NY businesses against luxury sales to Iranian officials attending UNGA
The U.S. Department of State warned New York businesses on Tuesday that Iranian officials attending the U.N. General Assembly are barred from buying luxury items or obtaining wholesale club memberships.
Retailers, the department said, face legal penalties under the Foreign Missions Act if they complete unauthorized transactions with Iranian delegates.
"The United States will not allow the Iranian regime to exploit diplomatic activities, including travel to the U.N., to further enrich Iranian officials," the State Department said.
"The regime’s officials responsible for diverting funds from the Iranian population towards its destabilizing proliferation-sensitive programs must not be allowed to obtain goods unavailable to the Iranian public."
Israeli UN envoy blasts Erdogan after UN speech, accuses him of ‘hypocrisy’ over terrorism
Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon, rebuked Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan following the Turkish leader’s address at the U.N. General Assembly on Tuesday.
Danon accused Erdogan of hypocrisy, lying and enabling terrorism.
“Erdogan once again exploited the U.N. platform to attack Israel and spread lies,” Danon said in a post shared on X.
“Someone who hosts Hamas leaders, supports a terrorist organization and occupies territories in Syria cannot preach morals to Israel,” Danon added.
“Erdogan, your hypocrisy will not hide the truth; we are fighting the terrorism you choose to embrace,” Danon warned.
His remarks came after Erdogan claimed Gaza had become “the most inhuman and shameful concentration camp of our time.”
Macron warns UN: Strait of Hormuz navigation must not be used as 'blackmail'
French President Emmanuel Macron urged the immediate reopening of the Strait of Hormuz Tuesday, warning at the U.N. General Assembly that freedom of navigation should not be used as leverage.
"The freedom of navigation in the strait should not be used as blackmail," Macron said.
"It is in the interest of all of us for vessels to be able to provide transit through the strait."
"The reopening of the whole strait is a priority. Respect for international law is also a priority in everyone's interests, and France is committed to it and its responsibilities."
Trump says Witkoff, Kushner held 3-hour meeting with Iranian officials at UN
President Donald Trump said Tuesday that his aides met with Iranian officials for three hours on the first day of the U.N. General Assembly.
While offering few details, Trump told reporters it was "a very good meeting" and added that both Witkoff and Kushner were in the meeting with the Iranian delegation.
Trump spoke after meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Pezeshkian defies calls to skip UN trip, vows to air Iran's grievances on world stage
Iranian Vice President Mohammad Jafar Ghaempanah said Tuesday he urged President Masoud Pezeshkian to skip the U.N. General Assembly in New York, but Pezeshkian went ahead with the trip to air Tehran’s grievances on the world stage.
“Considering the current circumstances, I conveyed the suggestion from some friends that President #Pezeshkian should forgo the trip to New York,” Ghaempanah said in a post on X.
“However, he emphasized that, based on the consensus of experts and the pillars of governance, he will undertake this trip to articulate Iran's authority and grievances to the world,” he added.
“Under the name of #Iran, fear and danger hold no meaning.”
Pezeshkian is due to speak in New York at the U.N. General Assembly on Wednesday.
Iran launches diplomatic push at UNGA, Araghchi meets European, Qatari officials
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met with EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas on Tuesday at the UN General Assembly.
Kallas said they addressed "diplomatic prospects for ending the US-Iran war and fully re-opening the Strait of Hormuz."
"There were no tolls or fees for passage before the war, and there should be none after the war," Kallas said in a post shared on X.
Kallas said she raised "domestic repression inside Iran, including the sharp rise in executions and death sentences" in the meeting.
According to the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA), Araghchi also held bilateral discussions with Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani and Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian is set to address world leaders at the event on Wednesday.
Trump predicts Iran deal as talks progress: ‘Settlement going to be reached’
Following a bilateral meeting with U.K. Prime Minister Andy Burnham on Tuesday, President Donald Trump voiced optimism that a peace agreement between Washington and Tehran is within reach.
Speaking to reporters after sitting down with Burnham, Trump said discussions between the United States and Iran were progressing.
"They want to talk to us. They have been talking to us, even today. They’ve been talking to us, and the relationship is developing," he said.
"I think that a settlement is going to be reached. But we can't let them — and they understand that — we can't let them have a nuclear weapon," Trump said.
The president linked the eventual end of regional hostilities to a decline in key economic figures, saying:
"As soon as the war is over, the numbers will come way down. We feel very united in that we can't let Iran have a nuclear weapon."
UN chief says ‘enough is enough’ as ‘conflicts are cascading’ in Middle East
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres said Tuesday during a speech at the General Assembly that “the fighting must stop.”
“Across the Middle East, conflicts are cascading. So-called ceasefires have amounted to little more than lesser fires, with civilians continuing to pay the price,” he said.
“Enough is enough. I appeal to the leaders in this chamber to maximize this high-level week for de-escalation and dialog,” Guterres continued.
The U.N.’s leader also called on world leaders to “send a clear message” that “humanitarian aid must flow and navigational rights and freedoms must be fully restored in accordance with international law.”
Netanyahu says he will ‘tell the truth’ about Zohran Mamdani during UN speech
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Tuesday he will “tell the truth” about New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani when he speaks at the U.N. General Assembly later this week.
"Shame on you, Mr. Mamdani. Shame on you for supporting the Hamas terrorist monsters who butchered our people. Shame on you for inciting riots against New York Jews,” Netanyahu said in a video posted to X. “I'm coming to the U.N. I am going to tell the truth about our heroic soldiers, and I'm going to tell you the truth about you."
Mamdani previously has called Netanyahu a "war criminal" and "architect of a horrific genocide against the Palestinian people."
When asked by a reporter in July about "What do you think that these people who are frustrated with Netanyahu should do when he arrives in New York City for the United Nations meeting," Mamdani also said, "One of the bedrocks of our city is protest."
"It is something that has been a part of what makes our city so special, that New Yorkers can express themselves whether they are in support or in opposition no matter on whatever topic," Mamdani said during a press conference on July 22. "And I’ve always said that when we respect our Constitution, we also respect our First Amendment. And here in New York City it will always be a place where you can exercise that."
When asked to respond to Netanyahu's video on Tuesday, Mamdani said, "Well, we all know that what the prime minister has said in that video is not true."
"What we do know to actually be the truth when it comes to the prime minister is that he is the subject of an International Criminal Court arrest warrant for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity. And as the prime minister, he is the architect of horrific genocide against Palestinians," Mamdani added. "And just a few days ago, his military killed an 11-year-old boy in what is deemed to be a safe zone in Gaza. So that is what I have to say to his video."