‘Annihilate’ vs ‘crushing’ attacks: Why Iran, US up rhetoric amid talks

Trump threatens to ‘annihilate’ Iran and then boasts about diplomacy, provoking Tehran to warn of a ‘crushing’ response.

x whatsapp-stroke copylink google Add Al Jazeera on Google info US President Donald Trump addresses the 81st United Nations General Assembly at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, on September 22, 2026 [Brendan Smialowski/AFP] By Usaid Siddiqui , AFP and AP Published On 23 Sep 2026 23 Sep 2026 Speaking on the first day of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on Tuesday, United States President Donald Trump threatened to “annihilate” Iran. Hours later, he told reporters that US officials held a “very good” meeting with Iranian leaders.

Iran’s military did not hold back. Dismissing Trump’s remarks, the Armed Forces General Staff – Iran’s highest military body – warned that it is ready to respond with “crushing” severer attacks than earlier in the war.