US President Donald Trump has threatened to “annihilate” Iran if Tehran fails to reach a deal with Washington, as he delivered a combative speech at the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
Trump, 80, used his address on Tuesday to defend his administration’s confrontation with Iran, while portraying the United States as a force for peace and a country determined to reshape the international order.
“While others have spoken of peace, I have made peace. While others have ignored threats, I have confronted them,” Trump told world leaders gathered for the UN General Assembly.
However, he issued a stark warning over the future of Iran, saying he faced a choice between reaching an agreement with Tehran or destroying the Islamic Republic.
“I have a big decision to make — will a deal be made with Iran that lets them rebuild and create a far greater country?” Trump said.
“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?”
Trump has repeatedly defended the nearly seven-month war against Iran, saying the military campaign was necessary to prevent Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons.
He also reiterated his expectation that Iran would agree to a deal after the US midterm elections in November.
The elections are seen as politically significant for Trump’s Republican Party, which faces a battle to retain control of Congress amid domestic concerns including high fuel prices linked to the war.
Trump’s speech also included attacks on the International Criminal Court (ICC), as he continued his criticism of international institutions and defended his administration’s foreign policy approach.
