Iran Warns Trump: Ready for Greater Defeat in New War

Steve Witkoff, envoy to U.S. President Donald Trump, confirmed overnight Tuesday that the United States held indirect talks with the Iranian delegation on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York. According to Witkoff, the discussions took place through intermediaries who shuttled between the two sides throughout the day.

"Today, on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly, we conducted lengthy talks with the Iranian delegation through intermediaries, who moved between the two sides throughout the day," Witkoff reported. "They successfully completed a round of discussions that we hope will prove constructive and promising. The intermediaries will continue their work."

The update comes against a backdrop of ongoing tensions between Washington and Tehran. President Trump addressed the UN General Assembly on Tuesday and delivered a dramatic ultimatum: "I have a big decision to make: to make a deal with Iran, or to destroy the Iranian Republic." Trump claimed that the U.S. military destroyed Iran's nuclear program in June 2025, but accused Iran of continuing to build long-range missiles.

Meanwhile, a senior Iranian source responded overnight to Trump's speech, telling Iranian media: "The U.S. has not set red lines in the region, and Iran is prepared for any possible scenario. In the event of a new war, Iran does not fear escalation and is ready to inflict on the enemy an even greater defeat than in the previous war."

The General Staff of Iranian Forces issued an official response to Trump's address: "Trump's threats reflect their desperation. This rhetoric reflects the strategic dead end in which the U.S. finds itself, given its aggression toward the Iranian nation. Considering the erosion within the American military, the repetition of baseless claims and threats does not indicate strength, but rather strategic desperation."

The indirect talks between the two countries are taking place as approximately 130 world leaders gather at the UN General Assembly in New York. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio told NBC in an interview that the United States is open to talks with Iran during the gathering. "We're open to it. I don't think anything is planned at this point, but we're certainly open to something like that, especially if it has a chance of leading to something positive," Rubio said.

Separately, an Iranian official told Reuters that Iran submitted a formal proposal to Washington on September 16 through intermediary channels. The proposal includes a commitment to open the Strait of Hormuz within just seven days—on condition that Washington removes military pressure in the region. The Iranian official revealed that the Iranian delegation currently in New York has been fully authorized to renew diplomatic efforts with the American administration.