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US President hints at possible deal with Iran, but warns of dire consequences if no agreement is reached.
Published On 22 Sep 2026
United States President Donald Trump has told reporters at the United Nations General Assembly in New York that US officials had a “very good” three-hour meeting with Iranian leaders.
“They had a very good meeting, a very productive meeting,” Trump said.
US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, who have led negotiations with Iran, took part in Tuesday’s meeting, Trump said. Witkoff joined Trump in telling reporters the meeting was “very good” but offered no further details.
Trump said another meeting was scheduled “in the very near future”.
The White House referred Al Jazeera to the president’s comments when asked where the second set of talks would take place.
While Trump did not share details of what was discussed with Iran, he said the country was faced with a choice he described as “potential greatness or obliteration”, echoing remarks he made earlier in the day at the UN General Assembly.
“Will a deal be made with Iran that lets them rebuild and create a far greater country than it ever was before? … Or do I annihilate the Islamic Republic and do it quickly?” Trump asked world leaders, marking a stunning moment on the floor of the UN as he threatened to destroy an entire nation.
Optimism in the air
Al Jazeera Chief US Correspondent Alan Fisher said the meeting between the US and Iran amounted to a “weird juxtaposition” after Trump’s UN address.
“There seems to be, to a degree, an air of optimism that they can move toward some sort of peace deal,” Fisher said.
Trump signalled during his speech that a deal could come after the US congressional elections in November, claiming Iran is “waiting to see” how his Republican Party will perform against the Democratic Party.
“What they don’t realise is that I’m not running. I did that already – and won in a landslide,” Trump said. “And I’ll be here for two-and-a-half years.”
“I gave absolutely no credence – and will not give credence – to the election when it comes to Iran. It doesn’t even enter my mind. The only thing that does is that Iran will never have a nuclear weapon,” he said.
