Trump Threatens to Annihilate Iran During UN General Assembly
Donald Trump threatened to annihilate Iran during a UN address while simultaneously conducting mediated talks with Iranian officials to end a seven-month war.
During the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York, Donald Trump issued a stark ultimatum to the Islamic Republic of Iran, stating he must decide whether to reach a peace deal or "annihilate" the country. Trump defended the ongoing seven-month war, claiming the U.S. military had "obliterated" Iran's nuclear program, and called for the complete economic isolation of Tehran. His remarks prompted walkouts by Iranian and Cuban delegations, the latter of which Trump labeled a "failed state."
Despite the public hostility, Trump revealed that special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner held a "very productive" three-hour meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, mediated by Qatar and Pakistan. Iran conditioned the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz on the lifting of a U.S. naval blockade and the release of frozen assets. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian later delivered a defiant address, accusing the U.S. and Israel of "terrorism" and citing civilian casualties from airstrikes in Minab, while asserting that Iran would not "bend at the knee."
On the sidelines, Trump signed a security agreement with Denmark and Greenland to establish two major U.S. military bases. He also announced a historic oil deal with Venezuela to lower domestic gas prices. Domestically, Trump faced legal challenges after banning CNN, MS NOW, and Politico from the White House, and his approval ratings fell to record lows amid rising energy costs. The diplomatic week concluded with a state visit from Chinese President Xi Jinping to Washington to discuss trade and artificial intelligence.
