Trump threatens to ‘annihilate’ Iran in UN speech

President Trump delivered a combative address to the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday, warning that he faces a choice between pursuing a diplomatic deal with Iran or "annihilating" the Islamic Republic, in what the New York Times called "a remarkable moment: a threat from the UN floor, by a world leader, to wipe out an entire nation."newser

"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?" Trump asked the international body. "Or do I annihilate the Islamic Republic and do it quickly, never giving them a chance to kill and destroy people and countries again? Do I drive them into hell with no chance of survival and no hope of future greatness or generations?"thenewregion+1

"I have a big decision to make," the president said.thehill

Midterms and a Deal

Trump predicted that Iran would agree to negotiate after the November 3 midterm elections, arguing that Tehran is waiting to gauge the political fallout of the war on Republicans. "I believe we'll make a deal right after the election because it doesn't make sense for them not to," he said. "They're waiting to see how I do in the midterm election. What they don't realize is that I'm not running. I did that already, and won in a landslide."thenewregion+1

The president's approval rating has dropped sharply amid the war, with a Reuters/Ipsos poll released Monday showing it at 32 percent. A CNN poll found that just 26 percent of Americans approve of his handling of the conflict. Gas prices have climbed to a national average of $4.47 per gallon, according to AAA, as the war disrupts energy markets around the Strait of Hormuz.thehill+1

A growing number of Republicans have broken with the president over the conflict. Last week, seven GOP lawmakers joined Democrats in approving a largely symbolic resolution to curb Trump's war powers related to Iran.kpax

Iran's Response and Diplomacy

Trump called on all nations to join the United States in "enforcing the complete economic isolation of Iran" until it ceases attacks on commercial shipping, curtails its nuclear ambitions, and stops supporting "terror." US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Monday that all Iranian airlines would be "shut down around the world" starting Wednesday.thenewregion

The Iranian delegation to the General Assembly includes President Masoud Pezeshkian and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who were granted visas for the first time since the war began in February. Araghchi said on Tuesday that Iran would use the assembly to raise awareness of civilian losses from US bombardment, including the Minab school strike that killed at least 175 people, most of them children. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that while nothing is scheduled, Trump would be open to meeting with Iranian officials.thehill+1

Pezeshkian is expected to address the General Assembly on Wednesday.thenewregion