"I believe we'll make a deal right after the election because it doesn't make sense for them not to. They're waiting to see how I do in the midterm election," Trump said, in reference to the US midterm elections.
During his remarks on Iran, Trump said he had a choice to make about whether to pursue war or peace with the country. "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?"
Donald Trump presented Iran with a stark choice at the UN General Assembly: reach an agreement with Washington and rebuild the country, or face the rapid “annihilation” of the Islamic Republic. He then predicted that a deal would probably follow the US elections.
The remarks illustrate Trump’s familiar strategy of coercive diplomacy—keeping negotiations open while threatening overwhelming force.
Trump in address to world leaders at UN defends his decision to start war against Ira
The president started his address ticking off progress - including adding private sector jobs, stemming illegal migration and curbing crime before turning to a fulsome defence of his decision to start a war with Iran.
"The terrorist regime is behaving badly, not because they are strong and confident, but because they are weak and desperate," Trump said. "If we stand united, we will soon see a world free of the last 51-year menace of Iranian terror.
Trump also accused Iran of stalling to make a deal to fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz and negotiate an endgame to the war until after the midterm elections in the United States. He insisted the tactic would have no effect on how he approaches the conflict.
"I gave absolutely no credence and will not give credence to the election when it comes to Iran," Trump said. "It doesn't even enter my mind."
Most of Iran's delegation walked out of the chamber as Trump railed against the Islamic Republic.
As he arrived at the UN, Trump briefly spoke to reporters, telling them it was an honour to address the world body before his attention suddenly shifted to his resentments with the news media.
Trump over the weekend announced a White House ban on CNN, MS NOW and Politico, claiming that their coverage of his presidency was biased. The news outlets have filed a lawsuit to restore their access to White House grounds. Trump snapped at a CNN reporter in the UN scrum.
"I'm surprised that CNN is here covering me," Trump said. "You shouldn't be here."
After his speech to the annual gathering of world leaders, Trump is expected to hold talks with new British Prime Minister Andy Burnham, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and a more informal meeting with Venezuela's acting President Delcy Rodriguez, according to the White House.
US President Trump said in his address to the UN General Assembly on Tuesday that there would be a deal with Iran after the midterm elections in November.
"I believe we'll make a deal right after the election because it doesn't make sense for them not to. They're waiting to see how I do in the midterm election," Trump said, in reference to the US midterm elections.
During his remarks on Iran, Trump said he had a choice to make about whether to pursue war or peace with the country. "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?"
"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?" he said.
Trump again said he would never allow Iran to have a nuclear weapon. "They were the bully of the Middle East, but they are the bully no more."
"I call on all nations to join us in enforcing the complete economic isolation of Iran until they stop their attacks on commercial shipping, relinquish their nuclear ambitions, and cease their support of terror," Trump added.
Trump started his speech by listing what he described as the achievements of his second term as president.
"We inherited a dark age of America from the previous administration, and we turned it into the golden age of America," he said, touting his record on the economy, immigration and crime.
"I can report to you with pride that America is back, and our country is stronger today than ever before," Trump added.Saudi king denounces Houthis as 'terrorist militia' after Makkah attack