US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that he expects an agreement with Iran after the November midterm elections, while presenting Tehran with a stark choice between renewed diplomacy and further military confrontation.
Addressing world leaders at the United Nations General Assembly in New York, Trump suggested Iran was waiting to see the outcome of the US elections before reaching an agreement with Washington.
“I believe we’ll make a deal right after the election because it doesn’t make sense for them not to. They’re waiting to see how I do in the midterm election,” Trump said.
Trump said he faced a major decision over whether relations with Iran would move towards an agreement or renewed conflict.
“I have a big decision to make. Will a deal be made with Iran that lets them rebuild and create a far greater country than it ever was before?” he said.
He then outlined the alternative in particularly forceful terms.
“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?”
Trump reiterated that his administration would not allow Iran to acquire a nuclear weapon, declaring: “They were the bully of the Middle East, but they are the bully no more.”
He also urged other countries to increase economic pressure on Tehran.
“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,” Trump said.
The US president opened his UN address by highlighting what he described as the achievements of his second term, focusing on the economy, immigration and crime.
“We inherited a dark age of America from the previous administration, and we turned it into the golden age of America,” Trump said.
“I can report to you with pride that America is back, and our country is stronger today than ever before,” he added.