US President Donald Trump warned that he could “annihilate” the Islamic Republic of Iran if Tehran and Washington fail to reach a deal, using his address to the United Nations General Assembly to defend the US-Israeli war against Iran and call for greater international pressure on Tehran.
Speaking at the UN in New York on Tuesday, Trump said the conflict had prevented Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon and argued that economic isolation could force Tehran back to negotiations.
“I have a big decision to make,” Trump told world leaders. He said the choice was between reaching a deal that would allow Iran to rebuild or taking military action to “annihilate the Islamic Republic.”
Trump also predicted that an agreement could be reached after the November 3 US midterm elections, saying he believed Iran would be prepared to negotiate once the election had taken place.
The president urged other countries to support what he described as the “complete economic isolation” of Iran, linking pressure on Tehran to efforts to bring the war to an end and reduce global energy costs.
Trump defends Iran war
The speech represented Trump’s latest public defence of the military campaign against Iran. He has previously pointed to Iran’s nuclear programme and its support for armed groups in the Middle East as reasons for US military action.
Iran has repeatedly denied that it is seeking to develop nuclear weapons.
Trump’s comments came as the conflict continued to cast a shadow over the UN gathering, with the war affecting energy markets and becoming an increasingly important issue in international diplomacy. Reuters reported that Trump was scheduled to meet numerous foreign leaders during his visit to New York.
Trump meets UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham
Among Trump’s meetings was his first face-to-face encounter with British Prime Minister Andy Burnham.
The two leaders met on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly to discuss issues including Ukraine, energy, immigration and artificial intelligence. Trump later described Burnham positively, while also criticising Britain’s agreement concerning the Chagos Islands.
Trump was also expected to meet Venezuela’s interim leader Delcy Rodríguez and hold discussions with leaders and representatives from Gulf states over regional security and the Iran conflict.
Pressure grows ahead of US midterms
Trump’s UN appearance also came amid domestic political pressure.
A Reuters/Ipsos poll conducted from September 17-20 found Trump’s overall approval rating at 32%, his lowest level in the polling covering his presidency. The survey also found approval among Republicans had fallen to 73%, compared with 82% one week earlier.
The November 3 midterm elections will determine control of Congress, making the economy, energy prices and the Iran conflict significant issues for the Trump administration and lawmakers.
Trump’s UN speech therefore placed Iran at the centre of both his foreign-policy message and his wider argument for continued US pressure on Tehran.
For now, Trump says he believes diplomacy remains possible — but his warning of potentially devastating military action underlines the uncertainty surrounding the next phase of the conflict.