Trump Issues Stark Warning to Iran at the United Nations: "Reach a Deal or Face Swift Annihilation"

【Financial News, New York = Lee Byung-chul, Correspondent】 Donald Trump delivered a message akin to an ultimatum to Iran at the United Nations General Assembly: negotiate or face annihilation. The United States president said an agreement with Iran could open a path to reconstruction, but warned again publicly that he could swiftly annihilate the Islamic Republic if no deal was reached, raising the possibility of military action.
Speaking on the 22nd local time at the 81st United Nations General Assembly high-level general debate at United Nations Headquarters in New York, Trump said, "I have to make a momentous decision." He then asked whether an agreement with Iran could "make it a far greater country than ever before, perhaps one of the greatest countries in the Middle East or the world."
He warned that military action could be the alternative. Trump said, "Or should I annihilate the Islamic Republic, and do so swiftly," adding that he could ensure Iran would never again have the opportunity to attack and destroy other people and countries. He also asked rhetorically, "Should I drive Iran into a hell with no chance of survival and no hope for the prosperity of future generations?" Multiple local reports also confirmed that Trump had raised the possibility of further attacks against Iran.
Trump also defended the United States-Israel military operation against Iran that began in February. Referring to Iran as the "bully of the Middle East," he declared, "That era is over." The United States has since intensified its policies of military pressure and economic isolation against Iran. Last month, the White House announced an "economic expulsion operation" and said it would sever the Iranian regime's international financial and economic connections.
Trump nevertheless left open the possibility of negotiations with Iran. By using military action and an economic blockade as simultaneous pressure tools, he reaffirmed his administration's existing strategy of bringing Iran to the negotiating table. The Trump administration has identified preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons as the central goal of its Iran policy.
Trump's remarks made the Iran issue a key diplomatic concern at this year's United Nations General Assembly as well. Trump is also scheduled to meet with leaders of Persian Gulf countries on the occasion of the General Assembly. 


[email protected] Lee Byung-chul, Correspondent Reporter