Iranian delegates walked out of the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday after US President Donald Trump threatened to “annihilate” the Islamic Republic if Tehran fails to reach a deal with Washington.
Trump made the remarks while addressing the 81st UN General Assembly in New York, where he defended the US military campaign against Iran and said he faced a choice between reaching a deal and destroying the Iranian government.
“Or do I annihilate the Islamic Republic and do it quickly?” Trump told world leaders.
He said he believed a deal could eventually be reached, suggesting negotiations could resume after the US midterm elections.
Most members of Iran’s delegation left the General Assembly Hall as Trump began discussing the conflict. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi were in New York for the UN meeting but did not attend the speech. A lower-level Iranian diplomat remained in the hall.
Trump also criticized Cuba, describing its communist government as a “failed state” and saying it “will fall.” The Cuban delegation subsequently walked out of the hall.
Trump defended the US military campaign against Iran, saying it was aimed at preventing Tehran from obtaining nuclear weapons. Iran has consistently denied seeking to develop nuclear weapons.
His remarks contrasted with calls for diplomacy from other world leaders. Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva said military force alone could not resolve international conflicts, while UN Secretary-General António Guterres urged countries to strengthen cooperation and dialogue.
Hours after his UN address, Trump said US and Iranian officials had held a three-hour meeting in New York. The talks were later confirmed by Iranian officials, marking a rare direct contact between Washington and Tehran amid the ongoing conflict.
