Iran, Ukraine and Venezuela dominate opening of UN General Assembly high-level week

Leaders from around the world gathered in New York for the high-level week of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly. Speeches in the opening days focused heavily on the war involving Iran, Russia's war in Ukraine and US military action in the Western Hemisphere.

A final Assembly for Guterres

According to UN News, the high-level week ran from September 18 to 29, 2026, under the theme "Restoring trust, managing transformation: A United Nations that delivers for all." The session is presided over by the newly elected Assembly President Khalilur Rahman of Bangladesh.

It is also the last General Assembly under Secretary-General António Guterres, whose second term ends on December 31, 2026. His successor takes office on January 1, 2027. Ahead of the week, Guterres recalled the UN's founding principle: "Not we the powerful. Not we the victorious. We the peoples – all of us – bound by a single conviction: that we are safer, stronger and more human when we stand together."

Trump defends military action

US President Donald Trump addressed the Assembly on September 22. According to UN News, he defended military action against Iran and Venezuela, saying: "I will never allow Iran to have a nuclear weapon." He also described the International Criminal Court as "full of evil people" and, on the war between Russia and Ukraine, said: "It's time to stop the killing."

ABC News reported that Trump presented a choice on the Iran conflict, telling delegates: "I have a big decision to make. Will a deal be made with Iran...Or do I annihilate the Islamic Republic". He suggested Iran was delaying talks, saying: "They're waiting to see how I do in the midterm election."

Trump also highlighted cooperation with Venezuela's interim president, Delcy Rodriguez, and warned on Cuba: "We'll not allow a haven for foreign adversaries." ABC reported that the Cuban delegation walked out during his remarks. Trump also spoke about artificial intelligence, saying, according to UN News: "The use of the word artificial makes intelligence fake. It is not fake."

Zelenskyy urges pressure on Russia

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy spoke on September 23. According to Euronews, he accused Russia of recruiting fighters from 47 countries, including Ghana, Nepal and India, and said two North Korean soldiers captured while fighting for Russia had been transferred to South Korea.

"Putin is always looking for someone who can help him kill more, kill more people for every kilometre of land," Zelenskyy said. He also warned that the coming winter could be difficult: "Ukrainians understand that this winter could be very harsh for us, but in response we will have no choice but to make it painful for Russia too." Zelenskyy said Russia had launched 63,000 attack drones against Ukraine in 2026; this figure could not be independently verified.

Iranian President Pezeshkian also addressed the Assembly. Euronews reported that he said Iran would not be bullied but remained open to negotiations.

Why it matters

The General Assembly's high-level week is the year's largest gathering of world leaders. This year's speeches showed sharp divisions over the Iran conflict, the war in Ukraine and the role of international institutions such as the ICC. The session also opens a year of transition at the UN, with a new Secretary-General due to take office in January 2027.

Sources

This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.