Trump to use UN speech to defend Iran war, tout peace efforts
By Gram Slattery and Humeyra Pamuk UNITED NATIONS, Sept 22 (Reuters) - US President Donald Trump will use a UN General Assembly address on Tuesday to argue that the war with Iran prevented Tehran from obtaining a nuclear weapon and to tout what he sees as progress toward peace and a global order increasingly aligned with American interests, according to a White House official.
Recent conflicting reports from Tehran have suggested that Iran may have privately offered to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial maritime route, within a week, according to unnamed Iranian officials speaking to Reuters and Japan's Kyodo news agency. However, Iran's state-affiliated media swiftly denied the proposal, describing it as unreliable and inaccurate.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, who is set to attend the UN General Assembly in New York, vowed to firmly defend Iran's positions during his visit. He expressed determination to convey Iran's plight to the international community and firmly tell its adversaries that despite unfairness and injustices, the Iranian people have remained resilient.
Pezeshkian's visit to the US marks the first time a high-ranking Iranian official has set foot on American soil since the war began in late February. The conflict has resulted in the disruption of traffic through the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, where Iran has fired upon commercial ships demanding passage.
The US has responded by maintaining a counterblockade of Iranian ports and increasing economic pressure on Tehran. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed that the US remains open to a meeting with Iran at the UN General Assembly, with the aim of achieving a positive outcome and ultimately preventing Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon.
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