Trump Warns Iran at UN as He Weighs Peace Deal or Further Military Action
President Trump delivered a forceful warning to Iran during his address to the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday, saying Tehran faces a choice between reaching an agreement with the United States or confronting potentially devastating additional military action.
Iran dominated a significant portion of Trump’s speech before world leaders in New York. The president defended the U.S. military campaign and said his administration was confronting threats that previous American leaders had allowed to remain unresolved. He characterized his broader foreign policy approach as dealing with years of “unfinished business.”
Trump said he now faces what he described as a “big decision” regarding Iran. He suggested that Washington could either reach a settlement with Tehran or dramatically escalate the conflict, using unusually stark language to describe what Iran could face if diplomacy fails.
The president also warned Iran against rebuilding its nuclear capabilities. Trump said preventing Tehran from obtaining a nuclear weapon remains a central American objective and argued that U.S. military operations have already significantly damaged Iran’s nuclear program.
Despite the warnings, Trump repeatedly left open the possibility of negotiations. He said he believes an agreement with Iran remains achievable and later confirmed that discussions between the two countries were continuing during the UN gathering.
Trump also called on other countries to increase economic pressure on Tehran. He urged nations to isolate Iran economically as his administration attempts to combine military pressure, sanctions and diplomacy to push Iranian leaders toward an agreement.
Another major issue is the Strait of Hormuz, where disruptions caused by the conflict have placed pressure on global energy supplies. Trump called on Iran to reopen the critical shipping route, while Tehran has separately signaled that reopening the strait could become part of negotiations with Washington.
Iranian officials responded critically to Trump’s address. Iran’s delegation walked out during portions of his remarks, while Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has accused Washington of undermining previous diplomatic efforts. Tehran has nevertheless continued sending signals that it is willing to discuss conditions for ending the conflict.
Trump suggested that a final settlement may not arrive until after the November midterm elections. His comments contributed to renewed uncertainty in energy markets, with oil prices rising as traders weighed the possibility that the conflict and disruptions to regional supplies could continue for several more weeks.
The president’s UN address combined a threat of further military escalation with an explicit opening for diplomacy. Later Tuesday, Trump said talks with Iran were continuing and expressed confidence that the two sides could eventually reach a settlement, while reiterating that the United States would not accept an Iranian nuclear weapon.