US President Donald Trump addresses the 81st United Nations General Assembly at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.
World leaders open UNGA 81 under theme of restoring trust
The general debate of the 81st United Nations General Assembly opened on Tuesday under the theme “Restoring trust, managing transformation: A United Nations that delivers for all,” with Secretary-General António Guterres and President of the General Assembly Khalilur Rahman of Bangladesh setting a tone of urgency amid widening global fractures.
Guterres, in what is expected to be among his final major addresses as secretary-general, told the assembly: “The fault lines in our world are widening. Cracks have become canyons.”
He framed today’s crises as interconnected tests of power—war and peace, inequality, climate change, and artificial intelligence—warning that force is outpacing diplomacy in conflicts from the Middle East to Ukraine, Sudan and Myanmar.
“Our future will be shaped by how we address four great tests of power,” he said, calling for a “networked” multipolar world, Security Council reform including permanent African representation, and binding rules so that “life-and-death decisions must never be handed to machines.”
Traditional first speakers followed. Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva opened the national addresses, followed by US President Donald Trump, who declared “America is back” and stronger than ever, highlighting confrontations with Iran and peace efforts while rejecting global AI regulation.
Speakers included Jordan’s King Abdullah II, Türkiye’s President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Qatar’s Amir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, and leaders from Lithuania, Peru, Chile, France and others.
The high-level week continues through 28 September. On Day 2 (23 September), the general debate continues with a full slate of presidents and heads of state, including Syria’s Ahmed al-Sharaa, Iran’s Masoud Pezeshkian, Argentina’s Javier Milei, Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Kenya’s William Ruto and others, according to the provisional speakers list.
‘Israeli’ envoy mocks Iranian diplomat with Starlink at UN
‘Israel’s’ UN Ambassador Danny Danon posted footage showing him offering a Starlink satellite internet device to Iranian diplomat Nasser Asadi at the UN General Assembly.
“Take it with you to Tehran, it can be very useful for you,” Danon said. Asadi, a member of Iran’s UN mission, ignored the offer and did not accept the device.
The device was the same one displayed by ‘Israeli’ Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during his UN address earlier Thursday. Netanyahu said Starlink could help Iranians bypass internet restrictions and offered it to Iranian diplomats if they defected.
Asadi had also remained seated during US President Donald Trump’s address on Tuesday, while other members of Iran’s delegation walked out in protest.
Qatar rejects Netanyahu’s criticism of its Hamas mediation role at UN
Qatar has rejected criticism directed at Doha by ‘Israeli’ Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during his address to the United Nations General Assembly.
Qatar’s deputy head of mission in Washington said Netanyahu’s attempt to blame Qatar for political failures “does not change the facts.”
He defended Qatar’s role as a mediator between ‘Israel’, Hamas, the United States and Egypt, saying US officials have repeatedly described Doha’s mediation role as vital.
He also said Qatar’s support for US universities in Education City helped expand access to American higher education in the Middle East.
The Qatari diplomat added that attacking a country involved in difficult mediation efforts would not help resolve the war.
Hamas denounces Netanyahu’s speech as ‘rife with lies’
Hamas has denounced ‘Israeli’ Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s address to the United Nations General Assembly as “rife with lies,” rejecting his denial of genocide allegations in the Gaza Strip.
In a statement, Hamas said Netanyahu’s “denial of the systematic genocide” was contradicted by reports issued by the United Nations.
The group also accused Netanyahu of denying the existence and rights of Palestinians in the occupied West Bank while legitimizing settler violence against Palestinians.
Hamas warned of what it described as “terrorist and criminal schemes” targeting Palestinians in the occupied West Bank.
During his UN speech, Netanyahu rejected accusations of genocide and downplayed reports of settler violence in the occupied West Bank.
Netanyahu denounces enemies and allies alike in UN speech
‘Israel's’ Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, facing a difficult reelection campaign at home, delivered a fiery UN speech Thursday assailing enemies and allies alike -- and sparking uproar in the chamber.
Locked in a tight race to stay in power in October 27 elections, Netanyahu used the global platform at the UN General Assembly to attack everyone from the leaders of Iran to New York's first Muslim mayor and partners Britain, France and Turkey.
Dozens of envoys from across the world walked out, some jeering and booing, while Netanyahu's own team stood and applauded, and the speaker of the session shouted for order.
"If there are any other moral cowards who haven't left this hall, please do so now," Netanyahu told those turning their back on him.
He lashed out at New York's popular, leftist Mayor Zohran Mamdani as "antisemitic" and claimed that "since you were elected mayor of this city, many Jews no longer feel safe."
Mamdani had threatened to execute an ICC arrest warrant against Netanyahu, before conceding he did not have the authority.
The Hague-based International Criminal Court (ICC) said in 2024 it had reasonable grounds to believe Netanyahu was responsible for war crimes in the Gaza assault.
Netanyahu denies the ICC claims.
Adding to tensions, dozens of protesters, some brandishing "stop the genocide" banners, gathered near the UN.
Several demonstrators were detained, including Hollywood star actor Susan Sarandon.
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One of Netanyahu's fiercest critics, Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas, was unable to attend the UN gathering after the Trump administration refused him a visa.
In a video message played ahead of Netanyahu's speech, Abbas said, "We reject these unlawful punitive measures, and we reject the accusations and justifications on which they were based."
Britain and France, historic partners of Israel that have become increasingly outspoken in their criticism, were also in Netanyahu's firing line.
Netanyahu attacks Britain, France
Britain and France have both imposed limited sanctions on ‘Israeli’ exports from the occupied West Bank.
And French President Emmanuel Macron drew ‘Israel's’ ire for claiming in his own UN speech that Hamas was not active in the West Bank.
Hamas' stronghold has traditionally been Gaza.
Netanyahu attacked Britain and France for their past colonial empires during his turn at the lectern.
"They accuse Israel, tiny Israel, of colonialism -- some colonialism. And who's accusing us? Among them are people in Britain and in France. For God's sakes, they invented the term," he said.
Netanyahu already had poor relations with Macron, who led a push by Western nations at last year's UN General Assembly to recognize a Palestinian state.
Iran's “murderous dictatorship”
Netanyahu had especially harsh language on Iran, calling it a "murderous dictatorship."
He said the war in which ‘Israeli’ and US forces have attacked Iran for close to seven months had stopped Tehran from being able to develop nuclear weapons.
"I vowed to prevent Iran's murderous dictatorship from developing atomic bombs, nuclear weapons aimed at destroying Israel, nuclear weapons that could threaten the entire world," he said.
He said the fall of Iran's leadership, whose envoy at the UN displayed a portrait of slain Quds force commander Qasem Soleimani on their vacant desk, was not "far."
Despite the onslaught, Iran's government has retained control and continues to defy the United States by effectively blocking the Strait of Hormuz.
Pager bombs
During his speech, Netanyahu brandished a pager device like those that ‘Israeli’ intelligence engineered with explosives before having them shipped to operatives of Iran-backed Lebanese group Hezbollah.
They were later detonated, maiming dozens of Hezbollah operatives but also civilian bystanders.
He accused Turkey of backing Hamas, going on to call the country's leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan a "tyrant."
Netanyahu is only making a whirlwind stop in New York before rushing back to ‘Israel’ where the election campaign is in full swing.
He is not scheduled to meet any top US leaders.
Jordan, Iran foreign ministers meet on UN sidelines
Jordanian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi met with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in New York on Thursday on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly, Jordan’s Foreign Ministry said.
The two officials discussed efforts to end the escalating regional conflict and reach a sustainable ceasefire between the United States and Iran, according to a statement by Jordan’s Foreign Ministry.
Safadi “stressed the need for coordinated efforts to restore calm and establish lasting security and stability in the region, based on respect for international law, good-neighborly relations and non-interference in the internal affairs of states,” said the statement.
He also stressed the importance of ensuring freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz in accordance with the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
The waterway has become a central issue in recent US-Iran diplomatic efforts.
Iran has said it could reopen the Strait within days if Washington eases military pressure and lifts its blockade of Iranian ports.
Jordan reiterates condemnation of attacks
Safadi reiterated Jordan’s condemnation of Iranian attacks on Jordan and Gulf Cooperation Council states and called for them to stop.
He said Jordan would continue taking all necessary and available measures to confront such attacks and protect its territory, sovereignty and citizens.
Safadi also emphasized dialogue and diplomacy as the means to address the causes of regional tensions and escalation and to establish greater security and stability.
The meeting came as US and Iranian officials have engaged in mediated talks on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly over ending the conflict and resolving disputes surrounding the Strait of Hormuz.
VIDEO - Iran delegation leaves picture of Qassem Soleimani at UN during Netanyahu’s speech
Iran’s delegation at the UN left the hall as Netanyahu started his speech, leaving behind a picture of Qassem Soleimani, the former commander of the IRGC’s Quds Force.
Soleimani was described as "the single most powerful operative in the Middle East" and a "genius of asymmetric warfare” before his assassination by the United States in January 2020.
VIDEO - Netanyahu attacks Hasan piker during UN speech
‘Israeli’ Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu criticized New York City’s Mayor Zohran Mamdani during his UN speech.
"Since you were elected mayor of this city, many Jews no longer feel safe in New York," Netanyahu said of Mamdani.
"It's no wonder. You praise criminals convicted of supporting Hamas. You count as friends people like Hasan Piker, who said 'America deserved 9/11’."
VIDEO - Netanyahu denies Gaza genocide at UN General Assembly
‘Israeli’ Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the United Nations General Assembly to reject what he claims are allegations of genocide regarding its assault on Gaza.
Netanyahu claimed that ‘Israel’ has taken unprecedented measures to protect civilian populations during the war, arguing that its actions exceed those of other militaries in historical war zones.
Netanyahu claims ‘many Jews’ feel unsafe in New York after Mamdani election
'Israeli' Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed during his UN General Assembly address on Thursday that “many Jews” no longer feel safe in New York following Zohran Mamdani’s election as mayor. "Since you were elected mayor of this city, many Jews no longer feel safe in New York," he said.
"You falsely, repeatedly accuse Israel of genocide," Netanyahu claimed.
Netanyahu calls Turkey's Erdogan “tyrant” in UN speech
‘Israeli’ Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan a "tyrant" during a speech at the UN Thursday, accusing Ankara of harboring Hamas leaders.
"The latest country to become a super spreader of antisemitic lies (is Turkey)... Erdogan is a tyrant. He also hosts the Hamas terror chiefs," he said.
Netanyahu says October 7 equals “16 9/11s”
Netanyahu on October 7 during his UN speech:
“This is equal to 40,000 innocent Americans slaughtered in less than 24 hours. That’s 16 times 9/11 — 16 9/11s.”
VIDEO - Half of UNGA hall walks out as Netanyahu begins speech
Nearly half of the delegates in the UN General Assembly hall left their seats as Benjamin Netanyahu began his address on Thursday, with the walkout taking place before he even began speaking.
Netanyahu in speech attacks Britain, France for past colonialism
‘Israeli’ Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attacked Britain and France for their past colonial empires during a speech Thursday at the United Nations.
"They accuse Israel, tiny Israel, of colonialism -- some colonialism. And who's accusing us? Among them are people in Britain and in France. For God's sakes, they invented the term," he told the UN General Assembly.
Netanyahu claims world leaders thank ‘Israel’ privately for fighting Iran
‘Israeli’ Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, starting his speech at the UN, claims many world leaders thank ‘Israel’ in private for fighting Iran.
Netanyahu slammed it as “Moral hypocrisy,” as dozens of UN envoys walked out as he started.
Lebanon PM meets with Iran’s Pezeshkian at UN sidelines
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said Thursday that Lebanon does not want to become an arena for regional conflicts or a venue for the exchange of messages, as he met Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian in New York.
Salam described Lebanon’s relationship with Iran as historic but said Beirut wants to develop it as a “sound state-to-state relationship.”
He also called on Tehran to nominate a new ambassador to Lebanon.
Focus on ‘Israeli’ withdrawal
Salam said Lebanon’s priorities include ‘Israel’s’ withdrawal from Lebanese territory, an end to its attacks, extending state authority across the country and ensuring that weapons are held exclusively by the state, in a nod to the goal of disarming Hezbollah.
The meeting comes amid tensions between Beirut and Tehran over Iran’s diplomatic role in Lebanon.
Iranian ambassador-designate Mohammad Reza Sheibani was declared persona non grata by Lebanon in March.
Lebanese Foreign Minister Youssef Rajji has said that normal relations with the Iranian mission can resume only after Tehran complies with Lebanon’s decision.
Salam has also been seeking international support for strengthening Lebanon’s armed forces and maintaining an international presence in southern Lebanon as the mandate of the UN peacekeeping mission UNIFIL approaches its scheduled end in December.
Abbas says wants “demilitarized Palestinian state” living alongside ‘Israel’
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, speaking virtually at the United Nations, said Thursday that the goal is a “demilitarized Palestinian state living alongside the State of Israel.”
“We want a demilitarized Palestinian state living alongside the State of Israel,” Abbas said
‘Israel’ policies threaten “life and existence” of Palestinians: Abbas
Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas said at the UN on Thursday that ‘Israeli’ policies no longer just jeopardized a two-state solution but were now threatening the "very life and existence" of his people.
"The danger is no longer limited to undermining the two-state solution and preventing the realization of the Palestinian state. It has now come to threaten the very life and existence of the Palestinian people on their homeland," Abbas said.
Netanyahu lands in US for UN speech
‘Israeli’ Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has arrived in the United States for his upcoming speech in the UN General Assembly.
Netanyahu is accompanied by his wife Sara, according to the ‘Israeli’ ambassador to the UN Danny Danon.
Prime Minister @Netanyahu and his wife, Sara, have landed in the United States. Wishing them success during this important visit to the UN General Assembly 🇮🇱 pic.twitter.com/KvB4dD5YPc
— Danny Danon 🇮🇱 דני דנון (@dannydanon) September 24, 2026
Netanyahu wanted Trump meeting during UN visit, but none materialized: reports
‘Israeli’ Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s unusually brief trip to New York for the United Nations General Assembly has highlighted strains in US-‘Israeli’ relations, as no meeting with President Donald Trump materialized despite efforts by his aides to arrange one, according to reports by the Reuters and Hebrew media.
Netanyahu arrived in the United States on Thursday for a whirlwind visit expected to last less than eight hours before returning to ‘Israel’ the same evening ahead of the Jewish holiday of Sukkot.
He is scheduled to address the General Assembly in the afternoon and hold meetings with a limited group of leaders, primarily from Latin America and other nations, including the presidents of Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay, Panama and Ethiopia, Colombia’s vice president, and the prime ministers of Greece, Slovenia and Papua New Guinea.
His office noted that many world leaders requested meetings, but a tight schedule limited what could be accommodated.
A meeting with Trump, which Netanyahu’s aides had sought to arrange, is not on the schedule.
Senior US officials reportedly indicated that Netanyahu was not among the leaders Trump planned to meet on the sidelines of the assembly, and their stays in New York do not overlap—Trump addressed the UN earlier in the week and shifted focus to a summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Washington.
Reports also indicated the US president appeared unwilling to make a meeting happen.
This stands in sharp contrast to previous visits.
Trump has met Netanyahu eight times during his second term, with their most recent encounter in July.
Last year’s UN-related trip included a longer stay and a presidential meeting.
Former ‘Israeli’ ambassador to Washington Michael Oren called the absence notable: “I don’t recall a time when the prime minister came to the United States and didn’t meet with the president... So I’m sure that he was disappointed by that.”
He added that Netanyahu’s UN address functions as “a campaign speech” ahead of ‘Israel’s’ October 27 election, and it “would be much better if that campaign speech were accompanied by a meeting with the president, or another world leader, or at least the secretary of state, but apparently it’s not.”
The abbreviated itinerary and lack of high-level US engagement reflect broader tensions.
The two leaders jointly launched a war against Iran earlier in 2026, but later diverged as Trump pursued efforts to wind down the conflict while key objectives remained unmet.
Netanyahu’s office has framed the short visit around defending ‘Israel’ from the UN podium against what he described as “terrible lies,” amid international criticism over the Gaza war, West Bank policies and an ICC arrest warrant.
Libya’s Al-Menfi condemns attacks on Saudi Arabia
Mohamed al-Menfi, head of Libya’s Presidential Council, pledged Libya’s “full solidarity” with Saudi Arabia and condemned any attacks threatening the Kingdom or Islamic holy sites.
His remarks followed a strike originating from Iraq that hit Saudi Arabia’s East-West oil pipeline.
“The security of the kingdom and the Gulf, given their Arab and Islamic weight, is not a national matter, but it is a pillar of the security and stability of our region,” al-Menfi said.
