Trump threatens Iran and rejects global AI controls at UN General Assembly
At the 81st UN General Assembly, Donald Trump threatened to annihilate Iran if it did not reach a deal, and called on Tehran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and return to negotiations. In remarks on AI during the same general debate, Trump rejected international efforts to control its development, while other leaders called for stronger oversight, auditing, regulation, or cooperation.
Key points
- Trump presented Iran with a choice between an agreement and military destruction, and urged it to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and resume negotiations.
Evidence · 3 source statements
Or do I annihilate the Islamic Republic and do it quickly, never giving them a chance to kill and destroy people and countries again?
called on the Islamic Republic to fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz and return to the negotiating table to find a settlement to end the conflict.
Will a deal be made with Iran that lets them rebuild and create a far greater country than it ever was before? Or do I annihilate the Islamic Republic and do it quickly?
- Iranian officials condemned Trump’s threats and said the delegation left the chamber in protest during his remarks.
Evidence · 4 source statements
Baqaei further criticized the use of the UN General Assembly — the world’s largest international gathering — as a platform for remarks that are 'unlawful and contrary to…
He also criticized threats of military action against Iran, arguing that such threats are incompatible with accepted principles governing international relations.
According to Baqaei, the Iranian delegation, headed by Foreign Minister Araghchi, left the venue in protest as Trump delivered his remarks.
the US President still sticks to threats.
- On AI, Trump opposed global controls, while Guterres and several leaders urged international coordination, independent scrutiny, or regulation.
Evidence · 5 source statements
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for stronger global coordination to manage AI risks, including work toward a multilateral AI Risk Management Framework backed by…
"totally rejects any attempt to construct a globalist scheme"
"We must build the capacity to audit these models rather than depend on a handful of private actors,"
"It would be an unforgivable historical omission not to address the challenge of regulating the big techs and artificial intelligence,"
He said South Korea would establish a global AI hub, bringing together international organizations, multilateral development banks, industry and academia, with the goal of making…
Who's involved
Donald Trump
He delivered the speech and set out the US administration’s positions on Iran and AI.
He threatened to annihilate Iran if it did not reach a deal, urged it to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and negotiate, and rejected international efforts to control AI while supporting its continued development.
What they said · 5 source statements
Or do I annihilate the Islamic Republic and do it quickly, never giving them a chance to kill and destroy people and countries again?
called on the Islamic Republic to fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz and return to the negotiating table to find a settlement to end the conflict.
US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that the US will only encourage AI and maintain its leadership in a safe and responsible manner, rejecting international efforts to…
"totally rejects any attempt to construct a globalist scheme"
"We're going to encourage it, not rein it in,"
Esmaeil Baqaei
As an Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson, he responded to Trump’s remarks and described Iran’s delegation’s departure.
He criticized Trump’s threats as contrary to diplomatic norms and said Iran’s delegation left in protest; he described Iran’s place at the UN as a stronghold.
What they said · 4 source statements
Baqaei further criticized the use of the UN General Assembly — the world’s largest international gathering — as a platform for remarks that are 'unlawful and contrary to…
He also criticized threats of military action against Iran, arguing that such threats are incompatible with accepted principles governing international relations.
According to Baqaei, the Iranian delegation, headed by Foreign Minister Araghchi, left the venue in protest as Trump delivered his remarks.
Iran’s seat in a forum like the United Nations General Assembly is our stronghold,
Masoud Pezeshkian
Iran’s president responded to Trump’s remarks.
He said Trump’s language showed continued reliance on threats.
What they said · 1 source statement
the US President still sticks to threats.
Antonio Guterres
The UN Secretary-General called for international action on AI risks.
He called for stronger global coordination and a multilateral risk-management framework with independent oversight, saying the danger lay in technology without accountability.
What they said · 2 source statements
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for stronger global coordination to manage AI risks, including work toward a multilateral AI Risk Management Framework backed by…
"The danger is not technology. The danger is technology without accountability,"
Emmanuel Macron
France’s president set out proposals on AI capabilities, scrutiny, and cooperation.
He called for regions to build their own AI ecosystems and auditing capacity, and for international cooperation on AI in areas including defense and cybersecurity.
What they said · 3 source statements
He said every region should develop its own computing power, large language models and AI ecosystem, while retaining the ability to independently scrutinize the systems it uses.
"We must build the capacity to audit these models rather than depend on a handful of private actors,"
He called for greater international cooperation in particularly sensitive areas, including the use of AI in space, defense and cybersecurity.
Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva
Brazil’s president argued that AI governance should address concentrated corporate power.
He warned that a few technology companies were advancing AI without ethical boundaries and said regulation of big technology companies and AI must be addressed.
What they said · 2 source statements
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva went further in criticizing the concentration of technological power, warning that a handful of technology companies were promoting…
"It would be an unforgivable historical omission not to address the challenge of regulating the big techs and artificial intelligence,"
Lee Jae Myung
South Korea’s president outlined potential risks and a proposed international AI initiative.
He said AI could promote prosperity but worsen inequality without preparation, and proposed a global AI hub involving international organizations, development banks, industry, and academia.
What they said · 2 source statements
Lee said the AI revolution could become a core driver of new prosperity and sustainable development, but would deepen inequality and imbalance "unless we are properly prepared…
He said South Korea would establish a global AI hub, bringing together international organizations, multilateral development banks, industry and academia, with the goal of making…
What was reported
- Trump addressed the General Assembly’s general debate during its 81st session.
Reported independently by 2: CGTN, The Hindu
Evidence · 2 source statements
Or do I annihilate the Islamic Republic and do it quickly, never giving them a chance to kill and destroy people and countries again?
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for stronger global coordination to manage AI risks, including work toward a multilateral AI Risk Management Framework backed by…
- Trump said he faced a decision between making a deal with Iran and annihilating the Islamic Republic.
Reported independently by 2: The Guardian, The Hindu
Evidence · 2 source statements
Or do I annihilate the Islamic Republic and do it quickly, never giving them a chance to kill and destroy people and countries again?
In his speech to the UN general assembly, Trump said he had a decision to make very soon on whether to “annihilate the Islamic Republic” or help turn it into one of the great…
- Trump called on Iran to fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz and return to negotiations toward a settlement.
One source: The Hindu
Evidence · 1 source statement
called on the Islamic Republic to fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz and return to the negotiating table to find a settlement to end the conflict.
- The Iranian delegation left during Trump’s remarks. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei said it left in protest, while one Iranian diplomat remained in the chamber.
Reported independently by 2: IRNA, The Hindu
Evidence · 3 source statements
Most of Iran's delegation walked out of the chamber as Mr. Trump railed against the Islamic Republic.
According to Baqaei, the Iranian delegation, headed by Foreign Minister Araghchi, left the venue in protest as Trump delivered his remarks.
However, one Iranian diplomat from the Islamic Republic’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations remained in the chamber to follow the proceedings, in line with established…
- Trump said the United States rejected attempts to create a global scheme to control AI and would encourage its development rather than rein it in.
One source: CGTN
Evidence · 2 source statements
"totally rejects any attempt to construct a globalist scheme"
"We're going to encourage it, not rein it in,"
- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for stronger global coordination on AI risks and a multilateral risk-management framework with independent oversight.
One source: CGTN
Evidence · 1 source statement
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for stronger global coordination to manage AI risks, including work toward a multilateral AI Risk Management Framework backed by…
- Emmanuel Macron called for regions to build their own AI capabilities and the ability to audit systems, as well as for cooperation on AI in sensitive areas.
One source: CGTN
Evidence · 3 source statements
He said every region should develop its own computing power, large language models and AI ecosystem, while retaining the ability to independently scrutinize the systems it uses.
"We must build the capacity to audit these models rather than depend on a handful of private actors,"
He called for greater international cooperation in particularly sensitive areas, including the use of AI in space, defense and cybersecurity.
- Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva called for addressing regulation of major technology companies and AI, and criticized the concentration of technological power.
One source: CGTN
Evidence · 2 source statements
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva went further in criticizing the concentration of technological power, warning that a handful of technology companies were promoting…
"It would be an unforgivable historical omission not to address the challenge of regulating the big techs and artificial intelligence,"
- Lee Jae Myung said AI could bring prosperity but also deepen inequality without preparation, and said South Korea would establish a global AI hub.
One source: CGTN
Evidence · 2 source statements
Lee said the AI revolution could become a core driver of new prosperity and sustainable development, but would deepen inequality and imbalance "unless we are properly prepared…
He said South Korea would establish a global AI hub, bringing together international organizations, multilateral development banks, industry and academia, with the goal of making…
How coverage differed
Iranian state-linked coverage — Focused on Iranian officials’ and commentators’ condemnation of Trump’s speech, including its threats, and on Iran’s response.
Chinese state media coverage of AI — Highlighted the range of AI governance proposals at the general debate, including UN oversight, regional auditing capacity, regulation, and US opposition to global controls.
Still unclear
- No agreement between the United States and Iran was announced in the claims cited here.
Not heard from
- The United States government beyond Trump — Trump’s position is included, but no other US government representative is quoted on the speech or its proposals.
- Iranian officials beyond the quoted spokesperson and president — Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson and president are represented, but no statement from Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is included in the cited claims.