Trump Signs Greenland Security Deal at UNGA While Iran Offers to Reopen Strait of Hormuz in Seven Days

President Trump signed a landmark security agreement with Denmark and Greenland on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly on September 22, ending a prolonged standoff over the Arctic island that had strained NATO alliances. The deal, signed at approximately 10:40 AM ET as part of Trump's packed UNGA schedule, allows the United States to establish two new military bases on Greenland while Denmark and Greenland retain sovereignty over the territory. Trump said the agreement would produce "a tremendous relationship, a secure relationship" and called it "long in the making," while Danish Prime Minister described it as "a deal that can last forever." NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte welcomed the agreement, saying stronger security in the Arctic and North Atlantic is essential.

The deal authorizes a reopening of a Cold War-era military base in southern Greenland and stations U.S. forces at an eastern outpost currently operated by the Danish dog sled patrol. Greenland sits at the center of missile defense corridors, emerging Arctic shipping lanes, and substantial critical mineral deposits, making the agreement strategically significant well beyond its immediate military terms. Trump had previously refused to rule out military or economic coercion to acquire the semi-autonomous Danish territory, a stance that had alarmed Greenland's population and opened divisions within NATO.

Separately, Iran signaled a potential diplomatic opening on the Strait of Hormuz. Citing a senior Iranian official, Japanese news agency Kyodo reported that Tehran offered to reopen the blocked strait within seven days if the United States takes initial steps toward lifting its military blockade of Iranian ports and ceasing military operations around the strait. The proposal was conveyed to Washington through mediators, with Iran planning to use the UN General Assembly as a venue for further consultations. Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Rezaei had previously outlined seven conditions for resuming talks, including lifting the port blockade and unfreezing Iranian assets. No agreement had been reached as of the reports.

Trump addressed the Strait of Hormuz standoff in his UN speech, urging Iran to negotiate and calling on all nations to maintain economic pressure on Tehran. He said he believes the United States will reach a deal with Iran right after November's midterm elections, adding that Iran will never be permitted to acquire a nuclear weapon. Secretary of State Marco Rubio separately told NBC News that the U.S. is open to meeting Iran at the United Nations. Iran's President Pezeshkian, traveling to New York for UNGA, said his country cannot be forced into submission, while Parliament Speaker Ghalibaf declared Iran's missiles can strike any target and that Tehran will not yield in the current conflict. Reports of Iran's Hormuz offer pushed oil prices lower and left U.S. stock futures mixed.