Trump Threatens Iran With ‘Annihilation’ During UN Address
US President Donald Trump has issued a fresh and stark warning to Iran, suggesting that he could seek to “annihilate” the Islamic Republic if the ongoing conflict cannot be resolved through negotiations.
Speaking during his address to the United Nations General Assembly, Trump questioned whether the United States should pursue the complete destruction of Iran to prevent future conflicts.
“Or do I annihilate the Islamic Republic and do it quickly, never giving them a chance to kill and destroy people and countries again?” Trump said.
He added, “Do I drive them into hell with no chance of survival and no hope of future greatness or generations?”
Despite the threat, Trump said he believed Washington and Tehran would eventually reach a deal, linking his expectation to the US midterm elections.
“I believe we’ll make a deal right after the election,” he said.
Trump also sought to distance himself from the political consequences of the November midterm elections, stressing that he would not personally be on the ballot.
“I’m not running. I did that already and won in a landslide. The Republican Party is running, and I’ll be helping them, but I am not running,” he said.
The Iranian delegation walked out of the General Assembly Hall during Trump’s speech, with most of its members leaving about 10 minutes after the US president began speaking.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi were in New York for the UN gathering but were not present in the hall during Trump’s address.
Trump devoted much of his roughly 40-minute speech to defending his administration’s foreign policy and military actions. He argued that the campaign against Iran was necessary to prevent Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons and claimed US military power had significantly altered the balance of power in the Middle East.
The president also turned his attention to Cuba, declaring that his administration was seeking “a fundamental change in the situation in Cuba.”
“It’s an absolutely failed state — it’s failing like never before, and it will fall,” Trump said.
The Cuban delegation subsequently walked out of the General Assembly Hall.
Trump said the Cuban government was facing the greatest pressure it had ever experienced and predicted that the country’s political system would eventually collapse.
His remarks contrasted with Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s call for diplomacy shortly before Trump took the podium.
Lula argued that the wars and growing tensions facing the international community could not be resolved through military force alone.
“We all know there will be no winners on the battlefield,” Lula said in Portuguese. “Diplomacy is the only option.”
UN Secretary-General António Guterres similarly urged world leaders to strengthen international cooperation and avoid further confrontation.
“Military power alone cannot secure peace,” Guterres said.
Trump’s speech also covered a range of other foreign-policy issues, including Venezuela, Gaza, Ukraine and the International Criminal Court.
He claimed credit for ending the war in Gaza and portrayed the United States as a key force in resolving international conflicts, although negotiations over the next phase of the Gaza conflict remained unresolved.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, in his own address, sharply criticised Israel, accusing it of having a “genocidal mind-set.” Israeli delegates subsequently left the General Assembly Hall as Erdogan spoke.
Qatar’s Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, also addressed the Gaza conflict, describing the situation as “a genocide in every sense of the word.”
Trump’s appearance at the UN came amid the continuing conflict with Iran and growing international concerns over its economic impact, including disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz and elevated energy prices.
After his address, Trump signed an agreement with Denmark concerning an increased US military presence in Greenland while maintaining Danish control of the territory.
Trump said the agreement would give the United States “permanent control over security and all other needs on that territory.”
“We will have the complete ability to do what is necessary to defend the American continent and also Europe and other places,” he said.
Although Trump has repeatedly expressed interest in acquiring Greenland, he did not rule out the possibility of pursuing that objective despite the new security agreement.
The UN General Assembly is the organisation’s main deliberative and representative body, bringing together leaders and delegations from member states each year to discuss international conflicts, security, development and other global issues.
Speaking during his address to the United Nations General Assembly, Trump questioned whether the United States should pursue the complete destruction of Iran to prevent future conflicts.
“Or do I annihilate the Islamic Republic and do it quickly, never giving them a chance to kill and destroy people and countries again?” Trump said.
He added, “Do I drive them into hell with no chance of survival and no hope of future greatness or generations?”
Despite the threat, Trump said he believed Washington and Tehran would eventually reach a deal, linking his expectation to the US midterm elections.
“I believe we’ll make a deal right after the election,” he said.
Trump also sought to distance himself from the political consequences of the November midterm elections, stressing that he would not personally be on the ballot.
“I’m not running. I did that already and won in a landslide. The Republican Party is running, and I’ll be helping them, but I am not running,” he said.
The Iranian delegation walked out of the General Assembly Hall during Trump’s speech, with most of its members leaving about 10 minutes after the US president began speaking.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi were in New York for the UN gathering but were not present in the hall during Trump’s address.
Trump devoted much of his roughly 40-minute speech to defending his administration’s foreign policy and military actions. He argued that the campaign against Iran was necessary to prevent Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons and claimed US military power had significantly altered the balance of power in the Middle East.
The president also turned his attention to Cuba, declaring that his administration was seeking “a fundamental change in the situation in Cuba.”
“It’s an absolutely failed state — it’s failing like never before, and it will fall,” Trump said.
The Cuban delegation subsequently walked out of the General Assembly Hall.
Trump said the Cuban government was facing the greatest pressure it had ever experienced and predicted that the country’s political system would eventually collapse.
His remarks contrasted with Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s call for diplomacy shortly before Trump took the podium.
Lula argued that the wars and growing tensions facing the international community could not be resolved through military force alone.
“We all know there will be no winners on the battlefield,” Lula said in Portuguese. “Diplomacy is the only option.”
UN Secretary-General António Guterres similarly urged world leaders to strengthen international cooperation and avoid further confrontation.
“Military power alone cannot secure peace,” Guterres said.
Trump’s speech also covered a range of other foreign-policy issues, including Venezuela, Gaza, Ukraine and the International Criminal Court.
He claimed credit for ending the war in Gaza and portrayed the United States as a key force in resolving international conflicts, although negotiations over the next phase of the Gaza conflict remained unresolved.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, in his own address, sharply criticised Israel, accusing it of having a “genocidal mind-set.” Israeli delegates subsequently left the General Assembly Hall as Erdogan spoke.
Qatar’s Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, also addressed the Gaza conflict, describing the situation as “a genocide in every sense of the word.”
Trump’s appearance at the UN came amid the continuing conflict with Iran and growing international concerns over its economic impact, including disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz and elevated energy prices.
After his address, Trump signed an agreement with Denmark concerning an increased US military presence in Greenland while maintaining Danish control of the territory.
Trump said the agreement would give the United States “permanent control over security and all other needs on that territory.”
“We will have the complete ability to do what is necessary to defend the American continent and also Europe and other places,” he said.
Although Trump has repeatedly expressed interest in acquiring Greenland, he did not rule out the possibility of pursuing that objective despite the new security agreement.
The UN General Assembly is the organisation’s main deliberative and representative body, bringing together leaders and delegations from member states each year to discuss international conflicts, security, development and other global issues.