US President Donald Trump is expected to tout his relationship with North Korea at the United Nations General Assembly this year, in a dramatic reversal of his last speech at the forum in which he threatened to "totally destroy" that country.
However, the president will likely take a hard line on Iran. Trump held a summit meeting in June with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and tensions between the nations have eased amid talks on Pyongyang's denuclearisation, but Washington is ramping up pressure on Iran.
This year, Trump pulled out of the Iran nuclear deal, even though there was no sign Tehran violated the multilateral agreement, and has begun reimposing sanctions.
The White House denies it is seeking regime change, but, in the words of National Security Adviser John Bolton, is demanding from Iranian leaders "massive changes in their behaviour."
In particular, the US is looking to curtail Iran's regional influence.
"I've always said the United Nations has tremendous potential but it has not lived up to that potential," Trump said in a video posted online over the weekend, indicating a friendlier approach to an organisation he has bashed repeatedly in the past, especially over US funding.
The president, who espouses an "America first" ideology, is also expected to explore the concept of "sovereignty" in his speech, as he did last year.
"Americans expect the United States to assert bold leadership on the world stage that reflects our values. And under President Trump, we are certainly leading from the front," Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said.
Trump is holding several one-on-one sessions while in New York, including a talk with the president of South Korea that took place Monday. He will also meet leaders of Egypt and France.
