UNITED NATIONS, NEW YORK: President Donald Trump will return to the United Nations this week seeking greater international cooperation in confronting Iran, even as his administration moves to reshape the global institution hosting world leaders, U.S. Mike Waltz told Fox News Digital in an exclusive interview ahead of the gathering. With the U.S.-Iran war entering its seventh month, Trump is expected to address the General Assembly on Tuesday and meet Gulf leaders whose countries have been directly affected by the conflict.
The gathering comes as Washington seeks to intensify economic pressure on Tehran, European allies confront Russia's ongoing war in Ukraine and the administration faces questions about whether its push to reduce the U.N.'s size and spending risks diminishing the organization's ability to respond to international crises. BESSENT WARNS IRAN'S OUTSIDE BACKERS TO 'STAY AWAY' AS TRUMP SEEKS TO 'ASPHYXIATE' TEHRAN'S ECONOMY Waltz outlined what Washington expects from its partners on Iran: full enforcement of sanctions against Tehran, with consequences for countries that fail to comply. "They will reinforce that message, but importantly, it's all of these countries actually enforcing the sanctions and what they're going to hear is there will be consequences for friend and foe," Waltz said.
"The president is doing this for the future security of the world." European and Asian allies have largely resisted Trump's requests for assistance in the Iran conflict, which began with U.S. and Israeli strikes in February, reported on on Sept. 18. The war has also disrupted energy markets, with Iran obstructing shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and its Houthi allies tightening their grip on a critical Red Sea shipping corridor. Waltz said the administration intends to make sanctions enforcement a central part of its diplomatic push during UNGA.
"The Iranian economy continues to crater," Waltz said, pointing to the country's currency, inflation and the U.S. naval blockade. "One way or another, the president has been crystal clear on our goals here that Iran cannot and will not have a nuclear weapon." His remarks follow a Sept. 17 U.N. Security Council vote in which Russia and China blocked an effort to continue independent monitoring of international sanctions on Iran.
Trump is also expected to meet Gulf leaders to discuss the conflict and regional security. Waltz said that the administration wants to hear directly from its Gulf partners about their concerns, describing the collective meeting as an important diplomatic opportunity. JEFF BARTOS SAYS UN REFORM IS NO LONGER AN 'OXYMORON' AFTER $570M IN CUTS The Iran conflict is unfolding against a broader debate over the future of the United Nations, an institution Trump has repeatedly criticized and his administration has sought to substantially reform.
On Sept. 16, the United States paid $725 million toward the U.N.'s regular budget and another $102 million for peacekeeping operations. The payments reduced Washington's outstanding debt and averted the immediate risk of losing its General Assembly voting rights in 2027. However, the U.S. still owed approximately $1.312 billion to the organization's regular budget, according to the U.N.
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