UNGA Day 1: US and Iran hold talks despite Trump’s threat

The 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly began with a sharp public confrontation when U.S. President Donald Trump used his opening speech to threaten Iran, saying he would 'annihilate' the country. The remark set a confrontational tone for the assembly's opening day. Despite the aggressive language from Washington, diplomatic activity between the two countries continued. Al Jazeera's diplomatic bureau reported that U.S. and Iranian officials held a three-hour meeting on the sidelines of the UNGA. The talks took place amid the broader backdrop of the General Assembly, where world leaders gather for bilateral and multilateral discussions. The meeting's occurrence demonstrates that, even after heated public statements, representatives from adversarial states may still engage in direct dialogue during international forums. Al Jazeera's Diplomatic Editor James Bays provided the account of both the president's remarks and the subsequent three-hour encounter, underscoring the simultaneous presence of public antagonism and private diplomacy at the UN gathering.