In his address to the United Nations General Assembly, U.S. President Donald Trump launched a fierce attack against Iran. During his speech on Tuesday, he strongly criticized Iran’s policies. Trump asserted that the United States has taken aggressive action to stop Iran after allowing it to accumulate power for a long time, which he claims has aided the spread of terrorism. He further claimed that the U.S. has successfully obstructed Iran’s “race to develop a nuclear bomb under the guise of ballistic missiles.”
“Had they succeeded, that evil regime would have been free to spread terror and death forever,” Trump stated. He accused the Iranian regime of ruling through bloodshed and mass killings for the past 51 years, creating death, violence, and chaos in the Middle East and beyond. Trump expressed his determination not to allow Iran to develop nuclear weapons.
Trump recounted that immediately after assuming the presidency, he initiated talks with Iran, proposing full economic cooperation on the condition that Iran end its nuclear program and cease supporting terrorism. However, he claimed that Iran rejected the proposal. Calling for Iran to be economically isolated, Trump urged the global community to fully sever economic ties with Iran. He declared that economic sanctions would remain in place until Iran stopped attacks on commercial shipping, abandoned its nuclear ambitions, and ended support for terrorism.
When asked why the Iranian regime is becoming aggressive, Trump explained it is not due to strength or confidence but because it is “weak and desperate.” He posed the question, “Destroy or negotiate?” asking whether the international community should negotiate with Iran to offer opportunities for reconstruction and prosperity or dismantle the Islamic Republic. He added, “Should I push them into hell to prevent them from surviving?” Nevertheless, Trump indicated that a deal with Iran might be possible after the U.S. midterm elections. He noted that Iran is awaiting the election results in November. “They don’t understand—I am not running in the election,” Trump said. He emphasized he has already won the presidency by a “large margin” and that the November elections will not change his Iran policy.
