US President Donald Trump has issued a strong warning to Iran, threatening military and economic measures against the country while delivering his address at the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly.
Speaking before world leaders and representatives from various countries, Trump said he was considering what he described as a “major choice” between launching another attack on Iran and reaching an agreement with Tehran.
However, what attracted particular attention was the absence of almost all Iranian officials from the chamber during his speech. Only one member of the Iranian delegation remained in the hall to listen to his address.
Trump said that if the conflict between the United States and Iran continued without a solution, Washington had the military capability to weaken Iran’s armed forces and economy within a short period.
He also threatened that the United States could take measures capable of “wiping Iran off the map” and preventing the country from posing further threats to other nations.
Trump’s remarks came amid reports of diplomatic talks between US and Iranian representatives.
Preventing Iran from Acquiring Nuclear Weapons
Trump reiterated that one of his major objectives was to ensure that Iran never acquires nuclear weapons.
According to him, the pressure imposed on Tehran by the United States, along with measures taken against it, had prevented Iran from achieving its goal of obtaining such weapons.
He also argued that what he described as “peace through strength” would be more effective in pressuring Iran than concessions or compromise.
“All I want is for Iran to never have a nuclear weapon,” Trump said.
He also called on the international community to increase economic pressure on Iran, including efforts to isolate the country from the global economic system.
Trump said that a united international effort to restrict Iran’s trade and economic activities would further weaken its government and force it to reconsider its policies.
Trump: “We Have Weakened Iran”
Trump also claimed that measures taken by the United States and its allies had significantly weakened Iran, leaving its government under considerable pressure.
According to him, some of Iran’s actions in the region were not signs of strength but rather indications of the pressure it was facing.
“This government is doing these things not because it is strong or confident, but because we have weakened it and it is in desperate need,” Trump said.
Threat of Military Action
Trump presented what he described as two options for Iran: reaching an agreement with the United States or facing increased pressure, including possible military action.
He questioned whether an agreement could be reached that would allow Iran to rebuild its country and revive its economy.
“Can we reach a deal with Iran that would allow it to rebuild and become a more prosperous country than before?” he asked.
However, Trump reiterated that if no settlement was reached, the United States had the capacity to take measures that could place the Iranian government in a difficult position.
Despite his tough rhetoric, Trump indicated that the door to negotiations with Tehran remained open.
US-Iran Talks
Before his speech, Trump told reporters that US and Iranian officials had held a meeting lasting nearly three hours on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly.
He described the meeting as productive.
Reports said the US special envoy for the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, attended the meeting alongside Jared Kushner.
Trump later said he was pleased with the way the talks had progressed.
He also alleged that Iran was waiting to see the outcome of the US elections before deciding the future of its relationship with Washington.
However, he said the election would not influence his policy towards Iran.
“I don’t give the election much importance, and I will not allow it to have any influence when it comes to Iran,” he said.
By the time Trump delivered his address, there had been no direct statement from the Iranian government in Tehran responding to his remarks.
Later, Iranian state media confirmed that the country’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, had met with Witkoff on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei said the talks had taken place through mediators from Qatar.
According to him, Iran had presented conditions that it believed must be met before an agreement could be reached between the two sides.