President Donald Trump told world leaders on Tuesday that Iran would never be allowed to acquire nuclear weapons and said he expected an agreement with Tehran after the U.S. midterm elections, while warning of further military action if diplomacy failed.
“I believe we’ll make a deal right after the election,” Trump told the U.N. General Assembly. He said Tehran was waiting to see the outcome of the November 3 congressional vote and threatened to “annihilate the Islamic Republic” if no settlement was reached.
Trump Tells UN Iran Will Never Be Allowed to Obtain Nuclear Weapons
Trump defended the U.S.-Israeli military campaign as necessary to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. Iran has consistently denied seeking nuclear arms. Most members of the Iranian delegation left the chamber during his remarks.
The president urged other governments to increase economic pressure on Tehran until it agreed to a settlement. He also rejected suggestions that the United States was running short of ammunition and said U.S. naval escorts were helping oil shipments pass through the Strait of Hormuz.
His assessment of ammunition supplies is disputed. The Associated Press reported that military experts and allied officials have warned of depleted missile and interceptor stocks, with some supplies expected to take years to replenish.
The war, nearing its seventh month, has disrupted regional shipping and kept oil prices elevated. Trump said prices would fall sharply once the conflict ended.
Despite Trump’s expectation of a post-election agreement, no meeting between him and Iranian officials had been scheduled. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington remained open to talks during the U.N. gathering if they offered prospects for progress.
Ukraine, Greenland and artificial intelligence
Turning to Russia’s war in Ukraine, Trump said his administration was working closely with both countries’ leaders to end the fighting. He expressed confidence that a settlement could come sooner than widely expected.
On Greenland, he announced plans for two major U.S. military bases under an arrangement with Denmark and Greenland. An agreement expanding the American military presence was due to be signed on the sidelines of the assembly.
Trump Renames AI
Trump also said U.S. government documents would use the term “super intelligence” instead of artificial intelligence, describing it as more accurate. He said he would not stifle the growth of a technology he characterised as potentially more consequential than the Industrial Revolution.
It is not clear whether a formal order implementing the terminology change has been issued.
The address opened a day of diplomatic meetings with foreign leaders, including Gulf representatives, with the wars in Iran and Ukraine prominent on the agenda.
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