ERBIL () — US President Donald Trump warned Iran on Tuesday that he faces a choice between reaching a deal that would allow the Islamic Republic to rebuild and taking military action aimed at destroying its government.
Addressing the United Nations General Assembly in New York, Trump said he had a “big decision” to make over how to end the ongoing war between the United States and Iran.
“I have a big decision to make — will a deal be made with Iran that lets them rebuild and create a far greater country than it ever was before, maybe one of the greatest in the Middle East or even the world?” Trump said.
“Or do I annihilate the Islamic Republic and do it quickly, never giving them a chance to kill and destroy people and countries again?” he added.
Trump also said he could “drive them into hell with no chance of survival and no hope of future greatness or generations,” while reiterating that he believed a negotiated agreement remained possible.
He said he expected the United States and Iran to reach a deal after the US midterm elections on November 3, arguing that Tehran was waiting to see the outcome of the vote.
“I believe we'll make a deal right after the election because it doesn't make sense for them not to,” Trump said.
“They're waiting to see how I do in the midterm election. What they don't realize is that I'm not running. I did that already, and won in a landslide,” he added.
Trump’s remarks came as the US-Iran war approaches its eighth month, with the conflict disrupting energy markets and increasing pressure on the global economy. The war has also intensified tensions around the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global oil shipments.
Trump has previously said that the conflict was necessary to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. His administration has simultaneously signaled that Washington remains open to diplomacy, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio saying that the United States was prepared to engage with Iranian officials during the UN General Assembly.
The UN General Assembly’s 81st session is being held in New York from September 22 to 28, bringing world leaders together amid the continuing Middle East conflict and other major international crises.
