Trump threatens Iran with annihilation while US and Iranian officials hold talks
The US president presented further military action and a peace deal as competing options, while Iranian state television confirmed contact between senior officials.
US President Donald Trump has threatened to “annihilate” Iran if the conflict between the two countries remains unresolved, while leaving open the possibility of a peace deal.
Speaking at the United Nations General Assembly in New York, Trump said he faced a “big decision” over whether to strike Iran again or pursue an agreement. He said he expected a deal to follow November’s elections, but did not establish that negotiations had produced an agreement.
Trump later said US officials had held a “very productive” three-hour meeting with Iranian representatives on the sidelines of the assembly. Iranian state television confirmed that Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met Steve Witkoff, the US special envoy to the Middle East. Iranian officials in Tehran did not otherwise comment publicly, according to the BBC.
Trump said US and Israeli military action had prevented Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon, though the source material does not establish the timing or circumstances of that action. His remarks framed the conflict as an example of what he described as peace through strength, based on military pressure and ultimatums.
The speech came as wars in the Middle East and Ukraine tested the US foreign policy agenda. Trump also criticised the United Nations and rejected the idea of global government, while separately signing an agreement with Denmark and Greenland to expand US military access to the autonomous territory.
