Waltz delivers blunt warning to nations defying Iran sanctions, touts Greenland deal

UNITED NATIONS, NEW YORK: President Donald Trump will return to the United Nations this week seeking greater international cooperation in confronting Iran, even as his administration moves to reshape the global institution hosting world leaders, U.S.

Ambassador to the U.N.

Mike Waltz told Fox News Digital in an exclusive interview ahead of the gathering.

With the U.S.-Iran war entering its seventh month, Trump is expected to address the General Assembly on Tuesday and meet Gulf leaders whose countries have been directly affected by the conflict.

The gathering comes as Washington seeks to intensify economic pressure on Tehran, European allies confront Russia's ongoing war in Ukraine and the administration faces questions about whether its push to reduce the U.N.'s size and spending risks diminishing the organization's ability to respond to international crises.

BESSENT WARNS IRAN'S OUTSIDE BACKERS TO 'STAY AWAY' AS TRUMP SEEKS TO 'ASPHYXIATE' TEHRAN'S ECONOMY Waltz outlined what Washington expects from its partners on Iran: full enforcement of sanctions against Tehran, with consequences for countries that fail to comply.

"They will reinforce that message, but importantly, it's all of these countries actually enforcing the sanctions and what they're going to hear is there will be consequences for friend and foe," Waltz said.

"The president is doing this for the future security of the world." European and Asian allies have largely resisted Trump's requests for assistance in the Iran conflict, which began with U.S. and Israeli strikes in February, Reuters reported on on Sept.

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The war has also disrupted energy markets, with Iran obstructing shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and its Houthi allies tightening their grip on a critical Red Sea shipping corridor .

Waltz said the administration intends to make sanctions enforcement a central part of its diplomatic push during UNGA.

"The Iranian economy continues to crater," Waltz said, pointing to the country's currency, inflation and the U.S. naval blockade.

"One way or another, the president has been crystal clear on our goals here that Iran cannot and will not have a nuclear weapon." His remarks follow a Sept.

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