Michael Goodwin: Iran will be top of mind at the UN - and Trump has a chance to strike a deal

Key Points:

• The United Nations General Assembly week in Manhattan is expected to cause severe traffic congestion due to street closures and Secret Service motorcades transporting international leaders, with the Iran war dominating discussions as President Trump, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu are scheduled to speak.
• The State Department has granted visas to select Iranian officials but imposed travel restrictions and banned luxury goods purchases, while no official meetings between the US and Iran are scheduled, though a surprise encounter remains possible as Trump seeks to end the war before the midterm elections.
• New York City is bracing for heightened protests and potential violence during Netanyahu's visit, fueled by Mayor Zohran Mamdani's outspoken criticism of Israel and Netanyahu, including calls for protests and controversial remarks accusing Netanyahu of war crimes and genocide.
• Mamdani's rhetoric, which aligns with far-left and anti-Semitic narratives, has escalated tensions, with the mayor refusing to condemn calls for Israel's elimination and even suggesting the possibility of arresting Netanyahu based on an International Criminal Court indictment, though this plan was abandoned.
• Despite Mamdani's recent claims that he does not encourage protests or plan to attend them, Israel's UN ambassador Danny Danon accuses him of inciting unrest while avoiding responsibility for any resulting violence during Netanyahu's visit.