Iran · updated 28m ago · 3 min read
Trump Accuses Iran Of Killing 72,000 Citizens, Threatens Annihilation At UN
Trump said Iran killed over 72,000 of its citizens this year, including 10,000 in protests. Framed two options: a deal allowing Iran to rebuild, or annihilation by the United States.
Whether midterms promise is electoral strategy.
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CNN
“Predicting the war will end after the election serves Trump’s political purposes”Read the original ↗
Reuters
“Trump used his UN General Assembly speech on Tuesday to argue that the war with Iran prevented Tehran from obtaining a nuclear weapon”Read the original ↗
CNN questions Trump’s midterms timing motive, while Reuters and others focus on Trump’s stated nuclear rationale.
UN threat and nuclear vow
U.S. President Donald Trump told the United Nations General Assembly that he accused the Iranian regime of killing more than 72,000 of its own citizens this year, including 10,000 people during recent protests, and he renewed his vow to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon.
Trump said he launched an attack on Tehran and renewed his vow to prevent it from acquiring a nuclear weapon, while he also said the U.S. military carried out the “Midnight Hammer” operation that he said eliminated the Iranian nuclear program.
Trump warned that Iran is working on producing a missile capable of reaching Europe, and he urged European countries to take this into account.
Trump said he expects Iran may return to negotiations, but he stressed that he would not be lenient on the Iranian file and that the only thing that matters to him is that Iran does not obtain a nuclear weapon “at all.”
Trump also urged all countries to join what he described as the “full economic embargo” on Iran until it stops attacking merchant ships, abandons its nuclear ambitions, and supports terrorism.
Deal after midterms or annihilation
Trump told the leaders gathered in New York that he faced “a big decision,” and he framed the choice as negotiating with Iran or resorting to a broader-scale military action.
Trump asked, “Will an agreement with Iran be reached that allows them to rebuild and become a country much bigger than before? Or do I annihilate the Islamic Republic and do it quickly?”
Trump said he believes a deal could be reached after the midterm elections in the United States, and he said Iran would be waiting to know the outcome of those elections.
Trump insisted, “I will not pay any attention to elections when it comes to Iran. It doesn't even cross my mind,” while he also reiterated at the UN that he will not allow Iran to have a nuclear weapon.
Trump said the United States intervened to prevent what he described as a nuclear nightmare that could have faced it and other countries.
Diplomacy, escalation, and stakes
The speech came as signs of tension persist, but diplomatic contacts continued, and Reuters was cited as saying Iran and the United States have kept open the possibility of resuming negotiations during the General Assembly. RCNN said Trump told the UN General Assembly that a deal with Iran is possible after the midterm elections, while his other choice is to “annihilate the Islamic Republic.” CCNN also said a source reported that Trump has told his advisers he would like to arrange a meeting with Iranian officials at UNGA if “conditions are right,” and it added that an engagement with Iran’s delegation is not scheduled.C
AFP said Trump is expected to defend his war on Iran at the UN, and it quoted Daniel Forti of the International Crisis Group saying, “no one knows what Trump will say, not even his speechwriters.” AFP added that Forti expected “a greater divergence between Trump’s celebration of his record as a peacemaker and defense of his military actions around the world,” and it said “it isn’t entirely clear what the reactions of world leaders will be.”