New York – More than 190 heads of state and government gathered in New York for the opening of the 81st UN General Assembly, a summit marked by deepening wars, economic volatility and a controversial security deal between the United States and Greenland.
Middle‑East flare‑up and G7 warnings
The G7 foreign ministers, meeting ahead of the assembly, issued a joint statement urging Iran to stop arming the Houthi rebels in Yemen and to “immediately cease all military actions” against Saudi Arabia, the BBC and Al Jazeera reported. The communique condemned the Houthi strikes on Saudi oil infrastructure “in the strongest terms”, warning that the escalation threatens global energy security.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warned that Washington would “shut down” all Iranian airlines from Wednesday if Tehran does not curb the attacks, a threat echoed by CNBC and Reuters. The same outlets noted a corresponding rise in oil prices, with WSJ citing renewed market anxiety as the U.S.–Iran confrontation widens.
"The United States is prepared to take the most severe measures, including a full shutdown of Iranian air carriers," Bessent told CNBC.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guard, speaking at the UN, warned it would “change the geography of war” if the United States escalates, a sentiment captured by The Guardian. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump, in a pre‑UN interview, said he was “considering wiping Iran out”, a remark that The Guardian highlighted as raising the stakes of the diplomatic showdown.
US‑Greenland security pact and bilateral talks
On the sidelines of the assembly, President Trump is slated to sign a deal granting the United States “permanent control over security” on Greenland, according to CNBC and Foreign Policy. The agreement, described as a revival of Cold‑War‑era arrangements, will allow U.S. forces to operate from the Danish‑controlled island and reopen a former military base.
Trump’s agenda also includes high‑profile meetings with allies. Japanese Prime Minister Kishida will meet the president to discuss “China’s economic and security pressure” and seek de‑escalation, as reported by The New York Times. In Europe, French President Emmanuel Macron is set to press Trump on the safety of the Hormuz Strait and Ukraine, a point noted by RFI. British Labour leader Andy Burnham, making his UN debut, expects to find “common ground” with Trump, according to the BBC and PBS.
Broader geopolitical backdrop: AI, Russia and climate
The assembly’s agenda extends beyond immediate security concerns. Delegates will debate the rapid development of artificial intelligence, with several members warning that unchecked AI could destabilise global security, as France 24 and Al Jazeera highlighted.
Intelligence chiefs warned that Russia is testing NATO’s limits through covert sabotage against countries supporting Ukraine, a briefing from The Guardian indicated. The same source warned that “Russia’s appetite for risk is growing,” underscoring the fragile security environment.
Climate and economic recovery also feature prominently. Leaders will address the need for coordinated action on climate change, while the tech sector drew attention after Alibaba announced a new AI chip and ambitious data‑center expansion, a development reported by CNBC that signals the intertwining of technology and geopolitics.
Overall, the UN General Assembly convenes at a moment when traditional alliances are being tested, new security pacts are emerging, and the world’s attention is split between immediate conflict zones and longer‑term challenges such as AI governance and climate action.
