US commemorates 9/11 ahead of 25th anniversary

Days before America marks a quarter-century since the September 11 attacks, US President Donald Trump honours victims and first responders on the Ellipse in Washington, vowing the nation will "never forget."

This as New York unveils a monument commemorating workers as its the city's Mayor Zohran Mamdani highlights the lasting toll on survivors and those who worked around Ground Zero.

Close to 25 years since the September 11 attacks, an event in Washington marks the occasion with the showcase of a 21-foot, steel beam recovered from the South Tower of the World Trade Center in New York, which has travelled for months across the country as part of the "Steel Across America" tour.

US President Donald Trump makes a speech at the event thanking those who gave their lives during the rescue efforts at the twin towers, vowing the nation will "never forget" the incident while sharing his thoughts on Iran.

"We will never forget the immortal heroes of September 11, 2001. And I will tell you, we're right now fighting because we have a certain nation that wanted a nuclear weapon. They were very close to getting it, and now they have no chance of getting it. They will never have. a nuclear weapon. Iran will not have a nuclear weapon."

Trump's speech takes a further political turn when he warns of people turning a "communistic way" - a reference to his frequent attacks on Democrats as more democratic socialists gain influence in the party.

Meanwhile in New York City, Mayor Zohran Mamdani marks the occasion by telling the press that more have died from 9/11-related illnesses than were killed on the day of the attacks and that the government had lied about the health implications for those working at Ground Zero.

"It would be one thing if government had stood alongside survivors and provided them with everything they needed at every step of the way, and yet we know that could not be further from what actually happened. People got sick because the leaders they trusted lied and told them they were safe to breathe in toxic air."

This, as the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey unveil a memorial honouring employees that were killed at the World Trade Center attacks.