President Donald Trump delivered a stark warning to Iran from the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday, saying the United States is prepared to unleash overwhelming military force against the Islamic Republic if diplomacy fails, even as he predicted that Tehran will ultimately agree to a deal following the U.S. midterm elections.
Speaking before world leaders, Trump said Iran now faces a choice between reaching an agreement that would give the country an opportunity to rebuild or risking another devastating round of U.S. military action.
“Or do I annihilate the Islamic Republic and do it quickly, never giving them a chance to kill and destroy people and countries again?” Trump asked.
“Do I drive them into hell with no chance of survival and no hope of future greatness or generations?”
Despite the warning, Trump said he expects the confrontation ultimately to end through negotiations. He suggested that Iranian leaders are waiting to see the results of the November midterm elections before committing themselves to an agreement.
“But 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.”
Trump insisted that the election results would not determine his approach toward Tehran, reiterating that preventing Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon remains a central objective of his administration. Secretary of State Marco Rubio separately said Tuesday that Washington remains open to meeting with Iranian representatives at the U.N., although no meeting had yet been scheduled.
“From the first day I entered the political arena, I’ve been unwavering. I will never allow Iran to have a nuclear weapon,” he said.
Trump portrayed the current confrontation as the consequence of Tehran repeatedly rejecting diplomatic opportunities while expanding missile and drone capabilities that he said threatened American forces, other countries in the region and Europe.
The president pointed to Operation Midnight Hammer and Operation Epic Fury as evidence of the damage already inflicted on Iran’s nuclear and military infrastructure. The Trump administration has said Operation Epic Fury was aimed at destroying Iran’s missile capabilities and production capacity, crippling its navy and preventing the country from obtaining nuclear weapons.
Trump said Operation Midnight Hammer had “obliterated their nuclear program beneath mountains of rubble” and maintained that Operation Epic Fury had devastated Iran’s navy and much of its remaining military capabilities.
“As a result of Operation Epic Fury, all 159 ships of their Navy are now lying at the bottom of the sea,” Trump said.
“Likewise, their air force is gone. Their radar is gone, their anti-aircraft equipment is gone. Their missiles and drone manufacturing capacity is almost gone.”
Trump also accused Iran of violating a ceasefire through attacks on civilian shipping and called on countries around the world to intensify economic pressure on Tehran. The administration launched a broader financial pressure campaign, dubbed Operation Economic Outcast, in August.
“I call on all nations to join us in enforcing the complete economic isolation of Iran until they stop their attacks on commercial shipping, relinquish their nuclear ambitions, and cease their support of terror,” he said.
The president said U.S. naval escorts have helped move more than 1 billion barrels of oil through the Strait of Hormuz. Iran, meanwhile, indicated Tuesday that it could be prepared to reopen the waterway if Washington eases military pressure and lifts its blockade of Iranian ports.
Trump also rejected suggestions that prolonged U.S. military operations have depleted American weapons stockpiles, saying 18 new production facilities are under construction.
“We have more munitions than we could ever possibly even think of using, and we’re building them at levels that we have never done before,” Trump said.
Trump used the U.N. address to offer a broader defense of his foreign policy record, saying personal diplomacy, economic leverage, trade and tariffs had helped settle eight wars. The White House lists eight conflicts it says the administration brought to an end.
Turning to Gaza, Trump said his administration had brought the war there to an end and secured the return of all remaining hostages.
“We also brought home all remaining hostages, both living and dead. Every single one of them,” he said.
Trump thanked the U.N. Security Council for backing his 20-point Gaza peace plan and said nearly 30 countries had joined the Board of Peace, which he chairs.
On the Russia-Ukraine war, Trump said Washington continues working with both sides and expressed confidence that the conflict will eventually be resolved, although he announced no new agreement Tuesday.
“We’re working very closely with the leaders of Russia and Ukraine, and we will get that one done,” he said.
Trump also highlighted the U.S. military operation that resulted in the capture of Nicolas Maduro in Venezuela and pointed to an oil agreement that he said covers 65 billion barrels. The White House has cited Maduro’s capture as part of its effort to reassert American power in the Western Hemisphere.
“To the victor belong the spoils,” Trump said.
Trump presented the Venezuela operation as a warning that Washington is prepared to defend what it considers vital American interests throughout the Western Hemisphere.
“And if necessary, we will use our unmatched military might to secure the vital national interests of the United States,” he said.
{
Matzav.com}
