Trump Defends Iran War at UN, Warns of 'Annihilation' Without Peace Deal
SCMP · 2 SOURCESabout 2 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
US President Donald Trump delivered a speech before the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday that sought to justify his administration's war with Iran, tout his "America is back" message and argue that his policies have benefited the global community amid ongoing conflicts worldwide. The speech, which at times resembled a campaign rally more than an address to the world body, came as Trump faces declining poll numbers both domestically and internationally.
Key Points
- Trump declared "America is back" and claimed the United States is "stronger today than ever before," pointing to economic growth, expanding power and his administration's accomplishments in cutting crime and spurring technology
- The president defended his Iran war, warning he could "annihilate the Islamic Republic" if no deal is reached to end the conflict, while predicting a peace agreement would come after November 3 midterm elections
- Trump called on other nations to economically isolate Iran to force negotiations, after previously calling Iranian leadership "vicious," "violent" and "scum" on social media
- Special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner held what Trump described as a "very productive meeting" with Iranian mediators on Tuesday, though this was later clarified as not being a direct meeting with Iranian officials
- Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian expressed wariness about renewed talks, noting Iran has been attacked twice by the US and Israel during active negotiations while seeking a nuclear deal
Why It Matters
Trump's UN address signals the continuation of his aggressive Iran policy while opening a potential diplomatic channel through intermediaries. For Hong Kong, escalating US-Iran tensions could further destabilize global oil markets and trade routes, compounding existing economic pressures from US-China competition in the western hemisphere .
Trump's UN address signals the continuation of his aggressive Iran policy while opening a potential diplomatic channel through intermediaries. For Hong Kong, escalating US-Iran tensions could further destabilize global oil markets and trade routes, compounding existing economic pressures from US-China competition in the western hemisphere .