Will annihilate or drive them to hell: Trump threatens Iran with destruction at UN

Trump rejected suggestions that electoral considerations were influencing his approach to the war, saying the midterms "don't even enter my mind" when it comes to Iran.

In Short

• Trump predicts Iran agreement after midterm elections in November
• US President urges UN members to put economic pressure on Tehran
• Trump denies depleting weaponry, says US has ample munitions

US President Donald Trump threatened to “annihilate” Iran if Tehran rejected a deal, even as he predicted an agreement after the November 3 midterm elections.

Addressing the UN General Assembly on Tuesday, Trump presented Iran with two options: an agreement that would allow it to rebuild or further US military action.

“Do I annihilate the Islamic Republic and do it quickly? Or, do I drive them into hell with no chance of survival and no hope of future greatness or generations?" Trump asked.

Despite the threats, he said: “I believe we’ll make a deal right after the election.”

Iranian delegates walked out as Trump defended the US military campaign, reportedly leaving only one representative in the hall.

‘IRAN WAITING FOR MIDTERM RESULTS’

Trump said Tehran was waiting to see how his Republican Party performed in the midterm elections before deciding whether to resume negotiations.

“They’re waiting to see how I do in the midterm election,” he said.

Trump rejected suggestions that electoral considerations were influencing his approach to the war, saying the midterms “don’t even enter my mind” when it comes to Iran.

“What they don’t realise is that I’m not running. I did that already and won in a landslide, and I’ll be here for two-and-a-half years,” he said.

The war has faced opposition in the United States, including criticism from some Republicans, amid concerns that it could hurt the party in the midterms.

‘IRAN IS NO MORE BULLY’

Trump claimed US military action had weakened Iran’s influence across the Middle East.

“They were the bully of the Middle East, but they are the bully no more,” he said, describing Iran as the world’s leading sponsor of terrorism.

Trump said Washington had repeatedly sought an agreement with Tehran, but Iran had rejected those efforts. He also accused Tehran of expanding its missile and drone capabilities and said they could have threatened Europe.

Iran has consistently denied seeking nuclear weapons while accusing the US of aggression and unjust pressure.

TRUMP CALLS FOR CONTINUED PRESSURE

Trump urged countries to maintain pressure on Tehran and thanked the UN Security Council for condemning Iranian attacks on commercial shipping. “Now we must be equally united in maintaining pressure,” he said.

Trump claimed the US Navy had escorted more than 1 billion barrels of oil through the Strait of Hormuz and said oil flows through the waterway were at their highest level since the war began.

The Strait of Hormuz is a crucial energy route through which a significant share of the world’s crude oil and petroleum products passes.

Trump also rejected reports that the conflict had reduced stocks of some munitions and missile-defence interceptors.

“We have more munitions than we could ever possibly even think of using,” he said, adding that the US was increasing weapons production and building new plants.

- Ends