Trump warns in UN speech he could annihilate Iran without peace deal

On Tuesday, US President Donald Trump addressed the United Nations General Assembly, asserting that the war with Iran had prevented Tehran from acquiring a nuclear weapon. He warned that if no peace deal is reached, he could "annihilate the Islamic Republic," emphasizing his intention to strike a deal following the November 3 US midterm elections.

Trump's speech came amid ongoing conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine, testing his foreign policy agenda. Outside the UN headquarters, anti-Iranian government demonstrators gathered, some holding signs calling for freedom and democracy. The address highlighted Trump's justification for the February US-Israeli strikes against Iran, citing Tehran's nuclear program, regional proxy support, and the possibility of regime change.

Despite Iran's repeated denial of nuclear ambitions, Trump expressed confidence in securing a deal post-election, citing the improbability of Iran's "future greatness" or "generations" under his administration. Following his speech, Trump is set to meet with foreign leaders, including British Prime Minister Andy Burnham, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, interim Venezuelan leader Delcy Rodriguez, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, Greenland Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen, and representatives from Gulf states.

These high-level meetings reflect Trump's ongoing focus on foreign affairs during his second term, marked by multiple wars, strained alliances, and diplomatic entanglements.