Trump Signals Openness to Meeting Iranian President Pezeshkian at UN as Tensions Remain High

September 22, 2026 — President Donald Trump says he would probably be open to meeting Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian during the U.N. General Assembly, although neither government has confirmed direct talks.

President Donald Trump has signaled that he could meet Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian during the United Nations General Assembly in New York, creating a possible diplomatic opening amid continuing U.S.-Iran tensions.

Trump’s comment came after Fox News chief foreign correspondent Trey Yingst asked whether he would meet Pezeshkian during the gathering, with Trump responding that he would “probably be open” to it.

The potential encounter would be significant because Washington and Tehran remain locked in a prolonged confrontation involving military strikes, economic pressure, nuclear concerns and disruptions affecting strategically important Middle Eastern shipping routes.

Pezeshkian is traveling to New York for the 81st U.N. General Assembly, where he is expected to address world leaders and conduct bilateral meetings on the sidelines.

The United States approved visas for Pezeshkian, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and other senior Iranian officials, allowing the delegation to attend despite the continuing conflict between Washington and Tehran.

Those visas come with restrictions on the Iranian delegation’s movement and certain purchases in New York, reflecting Washington’s attempt to fulfill host-country obligations while maintaining pressure on Tehran.

Trump enters U.N. high-level week while considering his administration’s next steps toward Iran, including continued economic pressure, further military action or an attempt to reach a negotiated settlement.

Fox News reported that Trump described himself as being in “deciding mode,” while U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz said the president remained open to reaching an agreement.

Iranian military officials have simultaneously warned that renewed American strikes could trigger retaliation against U.S. positions and interests, raising the stakes surrounding any diplomatic contact during the New York gathering.

Tehran has also presented conditions it says must be addressed before broader negotiations can resume, including issues involving sanctions, frozen assets, military pressure and restrictions affecting Iranian ports.

Trump recently claimed that American officials had communicated directly with Iran and said Tehran wanted an agreement, presenting those contacts as evidence that a diplomatic breakthrough could still be possible.

Iran has not publicly confirmed Trump’s characterization of direct talks, and reporting indicates Tehran continues emphasizing conditions for negotiations while relying substantially on intermediaries and indirect diplomatic channels.

Formal negotiations between the two presidents have not been announced, meaning Trump’s statement represents willingness to consider a meeting rather than confirmation that a summit has been scheduled.

The U.N. setting nevertheless provides an unusual opportunity because both leaders and numerous regional governments are gathered in New York, allowing informal encounters and diplomatic messages outside formally scheduled bilateral negotiations.

The General Assembly’s high-level week runs from September 22 through September 29, with the main general debate bringing heads of state and senior government representatives to U.N. headquarters.

Trump is expected to use his U.N. appearance to discuss Iran alongside other international issues while also meeting Gulf leaders whose governments are directly affected by instability across the region.

Pezeshkian is expected to present Iran’s position on the conflict and defend Tehran’s actions as self-defense, while also meeting international officials during his closely watched visit to New York.

Oil markets have already responded to changing expectations about diplomacy, with prices moving as traders assess whether U.N. contacts could reduce military risks surrounding Iran and the Strait of Hormuz.

Even if Trump and Pezeshkian meet briefly, major disagreements would remain over sanctions, Iran’s nuclear activities, regional military operations, maritime security and the conditions necessary for a broader settlement.

For now, the possibility of a meeting remains unconfirmed, leaving the U.N. gathering as both a potential diplomatic opening and a reminder of how far Washington and Tehran remain apart.

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