U.S. President Donald Trump issued a stark warning to Iran during his address to the United Nations General Assembly, saying he would not allow Tehran to obtain a nuclear weapon.
Trump defended the U.S. military campaign against Iran, arguing that American action was aimed at preventing the country from developing a nuclear capability. He said Washington still had a major decision to make over whether to continue military pressure.
Trump warned that Iran faces a choice between reaching a peace agreement and facing further military action. He used particularly severe language, saying the United States could “annihilate” Iran if a deal is not reached.
The president also criticized Tehran over the Strait of Hormuz, demanding that Iran allow the strategic waterway to fully reopen as part of any broader settlement.
Trump said he believed an agreement could eventually be reached, but suggested that a final settlement might come only after the U.S. midterm elections in November.
Despite the harsh rhetoric, diplomatic contacts have continued. Trump said U.S. and Iranian officials held talks after his UN speech, while Iranian officials have also signaled conditions for ending the conflict.
The confrontation has already disrupted shipping and pushed up global energy prices, adding economic pressure to the military and diplomatic crisis.
Trump’s remarks put Iran at the center of his UN address, combining a firm warning against nuclear weapons with an indication that negotiations remain possible.
