President Donald Trump is heading to New York City to address world leaders at the United Nations General Assembly, with the war with Iran and its growing economic and security impact across the Middle East expected to dominate his agenda.
The visit comes as the conflict approaches its eighth month, with disruptions to energy supplies and regional instability contributing to higher global oil prices and broader economic concerns.
The 81st session of the U.N. General Assembly begins its high-level general debate on Tuesday at United Nations headquarters in New York. Trump is among the leaders scheduled to address the gathering, alongside British Prime Minister Andy Burnham and French President Emmanuel Macron.
Beyond his speech, Trump is expected to hold a series of meetings with foreign leaders on the sidelines of the assembly, with the Middle East among the central topics.
Trump is scheduled to meet Gulf leaders on Tuesday as countries across the region contend with the economic and security consequences of the Iran conflict.
The talks come amid a further escalation involving Yemen’s Houthi rebels, whose recent attacks on Saudi Arabia have heightened concerns about regional security and potential additional pressure on global energy markets.
U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz said Trump wants to hear directly from Gulf leaders about their concerns.
Speaking Sunday on CNN’s “State of the Union,” Waltz said Trump “truly values hearing from them and hearing their concerns” as the administration considers developments across the region.
The Iran conflict is expected to be one of several major international crises confronting leaders during the General Assembly, as governments also discuss wars and security challenges elsewhere, economic instability and other global concerns.
Nearly 130 heads of state and government are expected to participate in this year’s high-level week, with the general debate running from September 22 through September 28.
