US President Donald Trump says Washington is considering either pursuing a diplomatic agreement with Iran or increasing pressure, expressing optimism that a deal could be reached before the November midterm elections as concerns over energy prices continue.
US President Donald Trump addresses the 81st United Nations General Assembly at United Nations headquarters in New York on September 22, 2026. (Photo by ANGELA WEISS / AFP)
US President Donald Trump told the United Nations General Assembly Tuesday that he had to choose whether to “annihilate” Iran if it fails to make a deal to end the Middle East war.
“I have a big decision to make — will a deal be made with Iran that lets them rebuild and create a far greater country than it ever was before, maybe one of the greatest in the Middle East or even the world?
“Or do I annihilate the Islamic Republic and do it quickly, never giving them a chance to kill and destroy people and countries again? Do I drive them into hell with no chance of survival and no hope of future greatness or generations?” Trump said.
But Trump reiterated that he thought an agreement was possible before US midterm elections in November — in which his Republican party faces losing control of Congress at least partly due to high fuel prices caused by the war.
“I believe we’ll make a deal right after the election because it doesn’t make sense for them not to.
“They’re waiting to see how I do in the midterm election. What they don’t realize is that I’m not running. I did that already, and won in a landslide.” Trump said.
“I believe we’ll make a deal right after the election because it doesn’t make sense for them not to.
“They’re waiting to see how I do in the midterm election. What they don’t realize is that I’m not running. I did that already, and won in a landslide.” Trump said.
