US President Donald Trump has used his address to the United Nations General Assembly to defend his administration’s military confrontation with Iran, warning that Tehran could face further devastating action if it refuses to reach a peace agreement with Washington.
Trump told world leaders gathered in New York that the United States had acted to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon, presenting the nearly seven-month conflict as part of a broader effort to protect international security.
He, however, raised the prospect of an even more severe escalation, saying he faced a choice between reaching an agreement with Iran and taking further military action against the Islamic Republic. Reuters reported that Trump said a deal could come after the November 3 US midterm elections, while warning that failure to reach an agreement could lead to the destruction of the Iranian regime.
The remarks put the Iran conflict at the centre of Trump’s 37-minute appearance before the General Assembly, overshadowing other issues in a speech that ranged from US economic performance and artificial intelligence to Cuba, Mexico, Ukraine and the future of international institutions.
Trump also called on other countries to join Washington in economically isolating Iran, arguing that increased pressure would force Tehran towards negotiations. His administration has maintained that its military campaign was necessary to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons.
The US president further used the occasion to project American military power as a deterrent against threats in the Western Hemisphere, citing his administration’s actions in Venezuela and warning that Washington would not permit foreign adversaries to establish strategic footholds close to the United States.
His remarks on Iran came as hopes for diplomatic engagement remained uncertain. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington was open to meeting Iranian representatives at the UN but confirmed that no such meeting had been scheduled. He said any engagement would have to advance the objective of preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.
Trump also turned his attention to Cuba, describing the country as a failed state and predicting the eventual collapse of its communist government. Members of the Cuban delegation walked out of the General Assembly hall during his remarks.
On artificial intelligence, Trump rejected calls for tighter international regulation, saying the United States would not restrict the technology’s development. He also said US government documents would increasingly refer to artificial intelligence as “super intelligence”, while indicating that the Justice Department would monitor the sector and intervene if necessary.
Trump renewed his criticism of the United Nations and the International Criminal Court, arguing against international legal mechanisms that could subject American military personnel to investigation or prosecution. His position comes as Washington continues to push for reforms to international institutions while reducing its involvement and financial commitments to some UN bodies.
The speech also contrasted with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’ final General Assembly address, in which he called for stronger international oversight of artificial intelligence, an end to ongoing wars and reforms to global institutions.
The Independent, in its report on Trump’s appearance, described the address as a lengthy presentation in which the president combined claims about his domestic economic record with threats against Iran and remarks on artificial intelligence.
Trump’s intervention comes at a particularly sensitive moment for global markets, with oil prices remaining close to $100 per barrel amid uncertainty over the Iran conflict and the security of regional energy supplies. Reuters reported that his comments about the timing of a possible Iran deal contributed to renewed concern over supply disruptions.
Beyond the rhetoric, Trump’s UN appearance therefore placed the future of the Iran conflict, American military policy and Washington’s approach to international institutions firmly before the world’s leaders, with diplomacy and further escalation both remaining possibilities.
