Iran waiting to see how I do in midterms: Trump

US President Donald Trump requested full economic isolation of Iran during his speech at the UN General Assembly on Tuesday. He expressed no plans to resume talks with Iran at the assembly, but stated he believed a deal would be reached post the US midterm elections in November.

A senior Iranian official indicated Iran's readiness to reopen the Strait of Hormuz to Gulf shipping within a week if the US eased military pressure and lifted the American blockade on Iranian ports. Tehran had conveyed this latest proposal to Washington the previous week.

However, Secretary of State Marco Rubio told NBC's Today show that the US was open to speaking with Iran, provided there were prospects of positive outcomes and the ultimate goal was achieved. Trump's speech, on the other hand, was combative and showed no signs of willingness to compromise.

Trump called on all nations to enforce the complete economic isolation of Iran and claimed he believed a deal would be made right after the election as it wouldn't make sense for Iran not to. He defended the war with Iran, stating it prevented Tehran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.

Trump also addressed Cuba, labeling it a failed state and predicted freedom would come to the Communist-run island in the UN address. He criticized the UN, highlighting his administration's efforts to prevent international bodies from encroaching on US sovereignty or advancing a left-wing agenda.