Diplomats Walk Out of UN General Assembly in Protest
U.S., Iranian, and Cuban diplomats staged multiple walkouts during the United Nations General Assembly following aggressive rhetoric from Presidents Donald Trump and Masoud Pezeshkian.
Diplomats engaged in several high-profile walkouts during the United Nations General Assembly on September 22 and 23, 2026, as a form of diplomatic protest. The tensions peaked on Wednesday when the sole U.S. diplomat in the hall exited during a speech by Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, who accused the United States of targeting Iranian civilians.
Donald Trump also triggered protests during his addresses. The Cuban delegation walked out after the U.S. president labeled Cuba a "failed state" and vowed to bring about the downfall of its government. These events followed a session on Tuesday where Iranian delegations were largely absent while Trump discussed the choice between a peace deal or the "annihilation" of Iran.
Officials describe these walkouts as a longstanding, permitted tradition of diplomatic expression within the General Assembly.
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