# September 11 anniversary and global terrorism commemorations

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/september-11-anniversary-and-global-terrorism-commemorations
> Updated: 2026-09-11T20:37:12.000Z. Sources: 227. Developments: 2.

On the 25th anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks, international organizations and diplomatic entities held commemorations to honor the victims and address the ongoing threat of global terrorism. The United Nations and the U.S. Embassy in El Salvador conducted ceremonies to recognize the nearly 3,000 victims and the bravery of first responders. UN spokesperson Farhan Haq described the attacks as an “assault on humanity,” while U.S. Embassy representative Naomi Fellows noted how the tragedy fundamentally altered global security perceptions.

In the United States, major ceremonies were held at Ground Zero in New York City, the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., and Shanksville, Pennsylvania. At the New York event, Vice President JD Vance and former presidents Joe Biden, Barack Obama, Bill Clinton, and George W. Bush attended as families read the names of the deceased. The commemoration included a drone light show titled ‘2,977 Lights Over New York Harbor’ recreating the silhouette of the Twin Towers to honor each individual victim.

At the Pentagon, President Donald Trump emphasized national resolve, stating, “Never, ever will we forget. That is why we fight today,” while linking the memory of the attacks to current security policies regarding Iran. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth also noted that the struggle against jihadism continues. Additionally, the CIA released 69 previously classified intelligence reports concerning Al Qaeda and Osama bin Laden.

Reflecting on the legacy of the attacks, former diplomat Zalmay Khalilzad discussed potential U.S. policy missteps in the aftermath, specifically regarding the decision not to negotiate with the Taliban. Former President George W. Bush also shared a self-portrait recreating the moment he was informed of the attacks. Amidst these reflections, victims' families, including Terry Strada, used the anniversary to call for greater accountability regarding Saudi Arabia's role.

## Claims

- The September 11 attacks occurred 25 years ago. (corroborated by 34 sources)
- The attacks resulted in the deaths of 2,977 people. (corroborated by 15 sources)
- Nearly 3,000 people died in the attacks. (corroborated by 13 sources)
- President Donald Trump participated in a ceremony at the Pentagon. (corroborated by 12 sources)
- Al Qaeda members hijacked four commercial aircraft during the attacks. (corroborated by 9 sources)

## Timeline

### 2026-09-11: UN Security Council warns of terrorism threat 25 years after September 11

Marking 25 years since the September 11 attacks, the UN Security Council condemned terrorism as a major ongoing threat to global peace, citing the rise of groups like Al-Qaeda and Da'esh.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/un-security-council-warns-of-terrorism-threat-25-years-after-september-11

### 2026-09-10: United States marks 25th anniversary of September 11 attacks

The United States commemorated the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks with memorials at Ground Zero and the Pentagon, featuring drone tributes, readings of victims' names, and remarks from political leaders.

223 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/united-nations-and-us-embassy-mark-25-years-since-september-11-attacks

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Cite as: September 11 anniversary and global terrorism commemorations. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/september-11-anniversary-and-global-terrorism-commemorations