Syrian President Asserts Golan Heights Sovereignty at UN

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad addressed the UN General Assembly on Wednesday, declaring that the Golan Heights will remain Syrian territory and any attempt to infringe upon Syrian sovereignty would be thwarted. Assad accused Israel of continuing attacks within Syria to 'impose a reality on the ground' that he claims undermines regional security and stability, while also stating that an opportunity for historic peace exists for those who desire it.

Assad also spoke about Syria's chemical weapons stockpile, reporting that 42 chemical bombs have been destroyed and that his government is in close contact with the International Atomic Energy Agency. The Syrian president's remarks come as Iran's representative is also scheduled to speak at the General Assembly.

Earlier, US President Donald Trump addressed the assembly, stating that Iran, which he said "celebrated 10/7," would never obtain nuclear weapons. Trump also issued a stark warning to Iran, saying he would either reach a deal with them after the midterm elections or be forced to "destroy it completely." He recalled offering Iran economic cooperation in exchange for abandoning its nuclear program and support for terrorism during his second term, an offer he claims Tehran rejected. Trump also referenced Operation "Midnight Hammer," which he described as a successful operation where "US military forces crushed Iranian nuclear facilities under heaps of rubble."

UN Secretary-General António Guterres opened the General Assembly on Tuesday, describing the scale of killing and destruction in Gaza as "unprecedented" and urging that the two-state solution not be allowed to disappear. Guterres also made a strong appeal for humanitarian aid and the unimpeded freedom of navigation according to international law. Additionally, he sharply criticized Israeli policies in the West Bank, stating that "violence and the expansion of settlements are crushing the path to peace and the fear of ethnic cleansing."

In related news, the Trump administration has offered to rehabilitate energy infrastructure in the Middle East, and Israel and Kuwait are reportedly engaged in secret discussions regarding regional cooperation.