President Trump debates deal, shifts tone on 'annihilating' Iran

After threatening to 'annihilate' Iran in an address before the UN, President Trump later shifted his tone following unexpected talks between the U.S. and Iran. Top members of the Trump administration met with Iranian leaders on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Tuesday. President Donald Trump described the exchange as "a very good meeting," contrasting with his tone in an earlier speech before world leaders. "I have a big decision to make. Will a deal be made with Iran that lets them rebuild and create a far greater country than it ever was before?

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Scoop News DeskIran · Published Wednesday, September 23, 2026 at 11:41 AM UTCUpdated Wednesday, September 23, 2026 at 12:44 PM UTC

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And the relationship is developing." Iran's joint military command responded to Trump's remarks in a statement, calling his address "a tool for domestic propaganda." The statement also said Iran was prepared to "inflict even more severe, crushing and unpredictable blows." Trump says Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner met with Iranian officials during a three-hour mediated exchange.

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