NEW YORK: US President Trump said in his address to the UN General Assembly on Tuesday that there would be a deal with Iran after the midterm elections in November.
“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,” Trump said, in reference to the US midterm elections.
During his remarks on Iran, Trump said he had a choice to make about whether to pursue war or peace with the country. “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?”
“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?” he said.
Trump again said he would never allow Iran to have a nuclear weapon. “They were the bully of the Middle East, but they are the bully no more.”
“I call on all nations to join us in enforcing the complete economic isolation of Iran until they stop their attacks on commercial shipping, relinquish their nuclear ambitions, and cease their support of terror,” Trump added.
Trump started his speech by listing what he described as the achievements of his second term as president.
“We inherited a dark age of America from the previous administration, and we turned it into the golden age of America,” he said, touting his record on the economy, immigration and crime.
“I can report to you with pride that America is back, and our country is stronger today than ever before,” Trump added.
Saudi king denounces Houthis as ‘terrorist militia’ after Makkah attack
Saudi King Salman has denounced Yemen’s Houthi rebels as a “terrorist militia” following an attack that authorities said targeted the holy city of Makkah last week.
The 90-year-old monarch praised the armed forces and security services for defending the kingdom and condemned the Houthi attempt “to target Makkah”, describing it as “a provocation to Muslims around the world”, according to the official Saudi Press Agency.
Earlier, Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke by phone with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Tuesday, with the two leaders discussing security in the Gulf and the importance of keeping vital waterways open, the Kremlin said.
The Kremlin said Putin and MBS held a detailed exchange of views on the situation in the Middle East and stressed that a political and diplomatic settlement remained the only viable way forward.
They also “underscored the need for a swift cessation of hostilities” in Yemen amid a worsening military and political situation there.
