Iran president vows to 'firmly defend' country's positions at UN

U.S. President Donald Trump is set to deliver a speech at the United Nations on Tuesday, aiming to defend the ongoing war against Iran and tout his peace efforts. However, the UN gathering will also be overshadowed by the recent escalation of issues linked to his military campaign. The self-proclaimed peacemaker may use the platform to highlight his controversial efforts to bring peace to the Gaza conflict and to involve more Arab countries in the Abraham Accords with Israel.

International Crisis Group's Daniel Forti notes that it is uncertain what reception Trump will receive from world leaders. Last year's UN speech saw Trump accuse the organization of sabotage when an escalator in the New York headquarters briefly stopped working and when a teleprompter malfunctioned. Trump has frequently criticized the UN and its leader Antonio Guterres since taking office, although the U.S. recently paid a significant sum to avoid losing some of its voting rights.

Trump is also expected to meet with various leaders, including Britain's new Prime Minister, Andy Burnham, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, and Venezuela's interim leader Delcy Rodriguez. The latter has been under intense American pressure since the previous leader, Nicolas Maduro, was apprehended by U.S. forces in January.