AT a Glance

• U.S. President Donald Trump warned Iran could face further military action if no agreement is reached.
• Trump said he expects a deal with Tehran after the November 3 U.S. midterm elections.
• He defended the U.S.-Israeli military campaign as necessary to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.
• Trump also called on other countries to economically isolate Iran and increase pressure on Tehran.

---

U.S. President Donald Trump used his address to the 81st United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday to defend the war with Iran and warn that he could “annihilate” the Islamic Republic if no agreement is reached.

Trump said he believed Washington and Tehran could reach a deal after the November 3 U.S. midterm elections, while urging other countries to join the United States in economically isolating Iran.

---

KEY STATEMENTS

“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?”

— U.S. President Donald Trump

“Or do I annihilate the Islamic Republic and do it quickly.”

— U.S. President Donald Trump

“I believe we’ll make a deal right after the election.”

— U.S. President Donald Trump

---

IRAN'S NUCLEAR PROGRAM

Trump argued that the U.S.-Israeli military campaign prevented Tehran from obtaining a nuclear weapon and said Washington had previously offered Iran economic cooperation in exchange for an end to its nuclear program and support for terrorism.

Iran has consistently denied seeking to develop nuclear weapons. Trump also claimed that U.S. military action had severely damaged Iran's nuclear and military capabilities. Those claims were presented by Trump in his speech.

ECONOMIC PRESSURE

Trump called for broader international economic pressure on Iran, arguing that isolating Tehran would help force it back to negotiations.

The comments come as the conflict continues to affect regional security and energy markets, including shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. The war has also remained a central issue in discussions between Washington and Gulf states.

DIPLOMATIC PUSH

Trump's UN appearance opened a day of high-level diplomacy focused heavily on the Iran conflict and the wider Middle East.

He was scheduled to meet with leaders and representatives from Gulf states including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar, alongside meetings with other international leaders.

FYI

Trump's remarks place the Iran conflict at a pivotal point between continued military pressure and a possible return to negotiations. His stated expectation of a post-election agreement contrasts with his warning of further military action if diplomacy fails.

The diplomatic track is also regional: Gulf states have been directly affected by the conflict, particularly through security concerns and disruptions involving the Strait of Hormuz. Analysts have pointed to the planned U.S.-Gulf discussions as potentially important to determining Washington's next steps.

For Tehran, any renewed negotiations would involve its own stated conditions, including an end to hostilities, changes to the U.S. military posture in the Gulf, sanctions-related measures and arrangements concerning the Strait of Hormuz. These conditions have been reported as part of Iran's position on returning to talks.

Dive Deeper: Handpicked Stories for You

Follow Channel8 for continuous updates

Trump Defends AI Industry, Announces Government “AI Force”

Trump Announces Deal to Expand US Military Presence in Greenland

Trump Says Iran War May Be Nearing An End