Trump’s UN General Assembly Address: Make a Deal with Iran or “Annihilate the Islamic Republic”

WASHINGTON, D.C. – While addressing the United Nations General Assembly today, the President’s speech included comments on artificial intelligence to the military agreement with Greenland and of course, Iran. Iran dominated most of the President’s speech. The speech comes at a time where global leaders have shared their concerns about the Iran war and the impacts from it.  

In the address, President Donald Trump defended the war with Iran and adds he has a big decision to make on renewed attacks on Iran.  

“Will a deal be made with Iran that lets them rebuild and create a far greater country than it ever was before,” Trump asks the crowd during the address. “Maybe one of the greatest in the Middle East or even the world. 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? But I believe we’ll make a deal right after the election. Because it doesn’t make sense for them not to.” 

Most of the Iranian delegation walked out during the address as the President described the strikes against Iran. The President’s comments and actions on Iran have made US allies question if the US remains a credible partner. During his speech, the President boasted about US power and said they’ve been tackling global issues alone, lashing out at other nations and institutions like the International Criminal Court and Cuba.  

“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,” the President said in the address. “The terrorist regime is behaving badly, not because they are strong and confident, but because they are weak and desperate.”   

Hours after that address, US officials and Iranian officials met. Reports state officials met for hours trying to encourage both parties to de-escalate the conflict and return to diplomacy. While Iran dominated key parts of the President’s speech, including in speeches from other foreign leaders, the President mentioned they’re working with leaders from Russia and Ukraine to end that war.