During address to the United Nations General Assembly, US President Donald Trump warned of possible further military action against Iran, while predicting that Washington and Tehran would reach an agreement after the November 3 midterm elections.
In the 37-minute speech, Trump justified the seven-month US war with Iran, claiming it had blocked Tehran from acquiring a nuclear weapon and ended what he described as its position as the dominant power in the Middle East.
While addressing the UN General Assembly on Tuesday, Trump said, ““I have a big decision to make. Will a deal be made with Iran that lets them rebuild and create a far greater country than it ever was before, maybe one of the greatest in the Middle East or even the world?”
“Or do I annihilate the Islamic Republic and do it quickly, never giving them a chance to kill and destroy people and countries again?” he added.
“Do I drive them into hell with no chance of survival and no hope of future greatness or generations?” Trump continued.
However, Trump quickly answered his own question, saying that the United States would reach a deal with Iran after the midterm elections on November 3.
“I believe we’ll make a deal right after the election because it doesn’t make sense for them not to. They’re waiting to see how I do in the midterm election,” he said.
Trump urges countries to put pressure on Iran
Trump called on other countries to continue exerting economic pressure on Iran and accused Tehran of being the world’s leading state sponsor of terrorism.
“There is no better example of a danger that was allowed to gather strength at the world’s peril than the number one sponsor of terror, the Islamic Republic of Iran,” he said. “They were the bully of the Middle East, but they are the bully no more.”
Trump thanked the UN Security Council for what he called an overwhelming vote condemning Iran’s attacks on commercial shipping.
“Now we must be equally united in maintaining pressure,” he said.
Trump also claimed that the US Navy had escorted over 1 billion barrels of oil through the Strait of Hormuz since the conflict started. He also said oil flows through the strategically important waterway had reached their highest level since the war began.
Iranian representatives walk out
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi were present in New York for the United Nations meeting but did not attend Trump’s address.
According to the Associated Press, Iranian representatives who were present in the General Assembly hall walked out during Trump’s speech.
