President Donald Trump addressed the United Nations General Assembly with a strong defense of his foreign policy, particularly focusing on the conflict with Iran. He described Iran as having been the “bully of the Middle East” and defended the U.S. decision to use military force. Trump warned that if diplomacy fails, the United States could take further military action against Iran.
Trump also said he believes a deal with Iran could be reached after the November midterm elections. He suggested that Iranian leaders may be waiting to see the election results before deciding how to proceed. Reuters reported that Trump said talks with Iran were continuing on the sidelines of the UN meetings.
His speech came as the United States remains involved in a broader confrontation with Iran over its nuclear program and regional influence. Trump said preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon remains a central goal of his administration.
Trump also highlighted a new security agreement with Denmark and Greenland. The agreement does not give the United States ownership of Greenland. Instead, it expands long-term U.S. military access to the territory and allows new American military facilities to be established.
The deal includes plans for military facilities at Narsarsuaq in southern Greenland and Mestersvig in eastern Greenland. It also expands cooperation around the existing Pituffik Space Base.
Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen of Denmark and Greenland Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen supported the security agreement. Both emphasized that Greenland remains under Danish sovereignty and retains its right to determine its own political future.
The agreement follows months of tension after Trump repeatedly expressed interest in acquiring Greenland. Danish and Greenlandic leaders had rejected any transfer of sovereignty. The new security arrangement instead expands the U.S. role in Arctic defense while keeping Greenland’s legal status unchanged.
Trump’s administration has also focused heavily on security in the Middle East. Regional governments remain concerned about Iran’s influence and about instability involving Houthi forces in Yemen and shipping routes through the Red Sea and Strait of Hormuz.
At the opening of the General Assembly, UN Secretary-General António Guterres warned that “the faultlines in our world are widening.” He identified war, inequality, climate change and artificial intelligence as four major tests facing governments.
Guterres called for more international cooperation and stronger rules governing emerging technologies. He also urged countries to increase climate action while dealing with wars and economic divisions.
Meanwhile, climate and energy policy remain major political issues in New York. Gov. Kathy Hochul has faced criticism from both environmental groups and Republicans as she tries to balance clean-energy goals with concerns over utility costs.
Hochul has argued that climate action and affordability should be pursued together. Her administration has backed changes to the state’s climate law while also continuing renewable-energy programs and expanding nuclear power.
New York is pursuing what Hochul calls an “all-of-the-above” energy strategy. The plan includes wind, solar, hydropower and advanced nuclear power. Her administration has called for development of at least 1 gigawatt of new nuclear generation and is studying ways to add several gigawatts more.
Republican gubernatorial candidate Bruce Blakeman has criticized Hochul’s renewable-energy spending. He has said the state should reduce spending through the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority and return more money directly to consumers.
New York has also approved rebate checks of up to $200 for eligible households. The $1 billion program was included in the state budget and is intended to offset rising utility costs. Republicans have criticized the timing and size of the payments.
At the federal level, Rep. Zoe Lofgren has raised concerns about changes to the U.S. Global Change Research Program. The California Democrat sent a letter to White House science adviser Michael Kratsios urging the removal of Matthew Wielicki from his role leading the program.
Lofgren argued that Wielicki lacks the scientific background and legal qualifications required for the position. She also said his appointment appears to violate federal law because he was not a permanent employee of one of the agencies involved in the program. Those statements are Lofgren’s legal and policy claims and have not been resolved by a court.
The USGCRP was created under the Global Change Research Act of 1990 to coordinate federal research into climate change and other forms of global environmental change. Over its history, it has overseen five National Climate Assessments.
Lofgren also criticized the Trump administration for dismantling much of the program in 2025. According to her letter, federal employees were reassigned, contracts supporting the sixth National Climate Assessment were canceled and authors working on that assessment were dismissed.
The administration has since moved to revive parts of the program under new leadership. Critics including Lofgren say the changes could weaken established climate research. Supporters of the administration’s approach have argued that previous federal climate assessments relied too heavily on high-emissions scenarios and should be revised.
The disputes show how energy and climate policy are becoming increasingly tied to national security, household costs and political disagreements over the role of government.
Trump’s UN address placed military security and energy independence at the center of his foreign policy message. At the same time, state and federal officials continue to debate how aggressively the United States should pursue climate policies and how those policies should be balanced with affordability and reliability.
IMAGE: President Donald Trump signs a security agreement with Denmark 22 September 2026, Author U.S. Department of State CC0