Diplomats have been exploring possibilities for renewed talks between the United States and Iran, with Qatar playing a key role in regional diplomacy involving Iranian officials. Iran arrived at the United Nations General Assembly looking for signs that Washington might be willing to return to negotiations. A senior Iranian official told Reuters that Tehran could reopen the Strait of Hormuz to Gulf shipping within days if the United States lifted its blockade and reduced military pressure.
Iran said its delegation had authority to revive negotiations. The country sent its latest proposal to Washington through mediators on September 16. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the United States was open to discussions if they could produce meaningful progress.
Trump struck a much tougher tone during his speech at the United Nations. He said he believed a deal with Iran could come after the U.S. midterm elections. He also warned of severe consequences if diplomacy failed. Reuters reported that Trump called for the “complete economic isolation” of Iran while also predicting that an agreement could eventually be reached.
Despite talk of possible diplomacy, major disagreements remain. Iran wants the United States to ease its blockade and reduce military pressure. Washington continues to demand changes involving Iran’s nuclear program and regional activities.
The Strait of Hormuz remains a major part of the dispute. The issue is not a proposed new shipping route. Iran has restricted shipping through the strait during the conflict and is now offering to reopen it under certain conditions. The waterway is critical to global energy markets.
Iran’s economy is also under increasing strain from U.S. restrictions on its oil trade. Reuters reported that the blockade has placed pressure on Iran’s currency reserves and domestic inflation.
In his speech at the United Nations, Trump urged other countries to isolate Iran economically by stopping Iranian civilian aircraft from landing in their territory. U.S. officials have also warned some countries that they could face consequences if they do not comply with American restrictions.
The UN gathering also featured strong criticism of Israel from several other leaders. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan accused Israel of having what he called a “genocidal mindset” because of its actions in Gaza and the occupied West Bank. The Israeli delegation walked out during Erdoğan’s address.
Jordan’s King Abdullah also criticized Israeli policy in the occupied West Bank. He said recent actions were not simply isolated incidents but appeared to be elements of a broader policy intended to push Palestinians from their land. Abdullah described forced displacement as a war crime.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres also warned about conditions in the West Bank. He said violence, displacement and settlement expansion were raising the risk of ethnic cleansing and damaging prospects for a two-state solution.
Meanwhile, Donald Trump and British Prime Minister Andy Burnham met in person for the first time during the UN General Assembly in New York. Burnham became prime minister in July after previously serving as mayor of Greater Manchester.
The U.S. president said relations between Washington and London were improving under Burnham compared with the period when Sir Keir Starmer was prime minister. Trump called Burnham a natural businessperson during their meeting.
UK officials had been nervous about the meeting because of Trump’s previous criticism of Burnham. Trump had called him “extremely liberal” and once referred to him as the mayor of a town. The meeting nevertheless produced friendly public comments from both leaders.
One area of disagreement involves the UK’s new restrictions on trade connected with Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank. Trump did not directly comment on that policy during the public portion of the meeting. The UK government has banned imports from settlements and imposed restrictions on services that support them.
Burnham also asked Trump to raise the case of imprisoned Hong Kong democracy activist Jimmy Lai during talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping. British officials said Trump agreed to make the request.
Another disagreement involves artificial intelligence. Burnham used his UN appearance to argue for international standards governing powerful AI systems. The British government says countries should work together to make sure rapidly developing AI technology is used safely.
Trump rejected international efforts to restrict AI development. In his UN speech, he said the United States would oppose what he described as a global system for controlling artificial intelligence. He argued that rapid development should be encouraged rather than restrained.
Trump and Burnham also disagreed over the Chagos Islands. The UK has agreed to transfer sovereignty over the islands to Mauritius while leasing Diego Garcia back for continued use as a major U.S.-UK military base. Trump called the arrangement a bad deal and questioned Mauritius’ claim to the territory.
Trump suggested Burnham might reconsider the Chagos agreement. Burnham indicated during the meeting that his government would look at the issue. The dispute involves sovereignty and control of the strategically important islands rather than an international trade agreement.
Burnham’s visit also included new military cooperation with the United States. The British government announced that the UK and U.S. had successfully tested a U.S.-designed torpedo launched from a British unmanned underwater vehicle. The project is part of wider cooperation involving the AUKUS defense partnership.
The Middle East remained one of the biggest issues surrounding the UN gathering. Trump met leaders from Gulf states while Qatar promoted a proposal for a regional security structure that could eventually include Iran. The proposal would seek security guarantees for Gulf countries while increasing economic ties with Iran. Tehran is reviewing the idea.
The Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen are another source of concern. Their forces have advanced against Saudi-backed troops and have threatened shipping routes around the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states have been pressing Washington for additional help as the conflict expands.
Trump also said during his UN appearance that he believed the war between Russia and Ukraine could be resolved faster than many people expected. Ukraine was among the conflicts discussed as world leaders met in New York.
The UN meetings showed both cooperation and significant disagreements between Washington and London. Trump and Burnham presented their first meeting as friendly while remaining divided on AI regulation, the Chagos Islands and some Middle East policies.
At the same time, the possibility of renewed U.S.-Iran diplomacy remains uncertain. Iran has offered steps toward reopening the Strait of Hormuz while Trump has combined talk of a future agreement with demands for greater economic pressure on Tehran
IMAGE: President Donald Trump signs a security agreement with Denmark 22 September 2026, Author U.S. Department of State CC0