US President Donald Trump addressed the UN General Assembly on Tuesday, stating he must make a "great decision" regarding Iran, either striking a deal or using force. He threatened to "annihilate" the Islamic Republic if a resolution is not reached. Only one Iranian delegation member was present during his speech. Trump also rejected the idea of "global governance" and promised to work towards ending the Russia-Ukraine war.
Trump's speech was marked by intense diplomatic activity, with meetings between US and Iranian officials. He met over a dozen leaders, including those from Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar. The Iran issue dominated his speech, with Trump justifying the conflict and highlighting its impact on global oil prices. His tone contrasted with that of UN Secretary-General António Guterres, who warned of growing global divisions.
Trump discussed the possibility of a deal with Iran, stating it could happen after the US midterm elections in November. He described a strategy of diplomatic coercion, using the threat of military force while keeping negotiations open. The BBC reported that Trump's comments illustrate this approach.
Later, Trump announced that US officials had a three-hour "very productive" meeting with Iranian delegates. The Iranian foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, met with US special envoy Steve Witkoff. Although Tehran did not comment on the discussions, Witkoff described the talks as constructive and promising.
Trump also addressed the Russia-Ukraine war, claiming his diplomacy would bring an end to the conflict. He expressed confidence that a resolution would be reached soon. The US State Department reported that Secretary of State Marco Rubio would meet with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on Wednesday.
On intelligence artificial intelligence, Trump downplayed concerns, stating the US would maintain its lead over China. He suggested renaming it "super-intelligence" and emphasized the need for caution. Additionally, Trump signed an agreement with Denmark and Greenland to strengthen US military presence on the island.
On the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, Trump met with various leaders, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and British Prime Minister Andy Burnham. These meetings focused on regional developments, Middle East issues, and security. Meanwhile, Guterres warned of growing global fractures in his farewell address as UN Secretary-General.
Key points
- Trump threatens to 'annihilate' Iran if conflict is not resolved.
- US and Iranian officials hold meetings on sidelines of UN General Assembly.
- Trump addresses Russia-Ukraine war, intelligence artificial intelligence, and US military presence in Greenland.
