Trump Threatens to ‘Annihilate’ Iran as US and Iranian Officials Hold Talks
US President Donald Trump warned on Tuesday that he could “annihilate” the Islamic Republic if Iran does not agree to a deal to end the war. He made the threat during his address to the UN General Assembly in New York. Trump said he faced a “big decision” over Iran and suggested that a deal could allow Tehran to rebuild. However, he also raised the prospect of major military action if diplomacy fails. His remarks have added fresh pressure to an already tense conflict, even as both sides have shown renewed interest in ending the fighting.
At the same time, senior US and Iranian representatives have held lengthy discussions through mediators. US envoy Steve Witkoff said the mediators had moved between the two sides throughout the day and would continue their efforts. Iran’s Armed Forces, however, dismissed Trump’s UN remarks as “propaganda” and said they were ready to respond with further attacks. The diplomatic contacts have come as the nearly seven-month conflict has killed thousands, pushed oil prices higher and widened the regional crisis. For now, Washington and Tehran have kept both military pressure and diplomacy in play, leaving the outcome of the talks uncertain.
Trump Raises Pressure on Iran While Leaving the Door Open to a Deal
Trump used his UN General Assembly speech to present Iran as a major security threat while keeping the possibility of diplomacy open. He said the United States would not allow Iran to obtain a nuclear weapon and argued that Tehran had built a large stockpile of missiles and drones. Trump also referred to Operation Midnight Hammer and Operation Epic Fury, claiming that US military action had severely damaged Iran’s nuclear facilities, military capabilities and missile and drone production.
Trump also put the Strait of Hormuz at the center of his message. He said the US Navy had escorted more than 1 billion barrels of oil through the waterway and called on Iran to fully reopen the strategic route. Trump nevertheless said a deal could emerge after the November 3 US midterm elections, while US and Iranian officials continued discussions through mediators. The combination of military pressure, the demand to reopen Hormuz and continued diplomatic contacts shows that the future of the Iran war remains tied to whether Washington and Tehran can reach an agreement.
Iran Signals Interest in Reopening the Strait of Hormuz
A senior Iranian official said Tehran could reopen the Strait of Hormuz if the United States eased military pressure and lifted its blockade on Iranian ports. Iran has also sent its latest proposal to Washington through mediators. The official described the UN General Assembly as a “golden opportunity” to return to diplomacy. Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi met US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff on the sidelines of the UN gathering. Iranian state media said Tehran had linked the reopening of the Strait to several conditions, including lifting the naval blockade, releasing frozen Iranian assets and ending the war across its “resistance” fronts. However, those conditions remain part of negotiations and do not amount to an agreed settlement.
Iran has indicated that it could reopen the waterway if its conditions are met, while Washington is seeking an agreement that addresses its concerns over Iran’s nuclear programme. The outcome will depend on whether the diplomatic contacts can turn competing demands into a workable deal or whether renewed military escalation closes that opening.
Web resources on Trump Threatens to ‘Annihilate’ Iran
1. BBC : Trump threatens to ‘annihilate’ Iran in UN speech as officials from both countries meet on sidelines.
2. Reuters : Trump threatens to annihilate Iran as diplomats push for deal at UN.
3. Guardian : Trump’s threat to annihilate Iran to UN general assembly is stunning, even for him.
4. Euro News : Trump threatens to ‘annihilate’ Iran at UN, then confirms direct talks.