Trump Says He 'Has a Big Decision to Make' on Iran As He Addresses UN

Donald Trump said Tuesday that he faced a “big decision” over Iran, using his address to the UN General Assembly in New York to present Tehran with a choice between a negotiated settlement and devastating U.S. military action.

The U.S. president said an agreement could allow Iran to rebuild and pursue greater economic prosperity. But he paired that offer with some of his most explicit threats against the Islamic Republic.

“I have a big decision to make,” Trump said. “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?”

He then raised the alternative: “Or do I annihilate the Islamic Republic and do it quickly, never giving them a chance to kill and destroy people and countries again?”

Nuclear Program Remains Central

Trump said his calculations were not being shaped by U.S. electoral politics, despite suggesting Tehran was waiting for the outcome of the midterm elections before reaching an agreement.

He said he expected a deal after the election because, in his assessment, Iran had little reason to reject one. He added that Tehran appeared to believe the midterms could change his position.

Trump insisted the election would have no bearing on his approach to the nuclear issue.

“The only thing that does is that Iran will never have a nuclear weapon,” he said.

Trump Says Earlier Offer Was Rejected

Trump said his administration had opened negotiations with Iran after he took office last year.

According to Trump, Washington offered economic cooperation in return for Iran ending its nuclear program and its support for groups he described as terrorists.

Iran rejected the proposal, Trump said, calling that decision “a big mistake.”

He also accused Tehran of developing a missile capable of reaching Europe and said Iran intended to use conventional ballistic missile capabilities to protect its efforts to build a nuclear weapon.

Trump argued that such an outcome would have allowed Iran to conduct attacks while protected by a nuclear deterrent.

Military Capacity Highlighted

Trump used the address to reject claims that U.S. ammunition stocks had been depleted.

He said the U.S. possessed more munitions than it could use and was replenishing stockpiles at an unprecedented rate.

Trump also said 18 large munitions facilities were under construction by major defense companies and would begin opening soon.

The comments reinforced his wider argument that Washington retained the military capacity to confront threats rather than defer action.

“I have no interest in leaving dangers to grow for another day. I do not believe in letting problems fester,” Trump said.

October 7 and Iran

Trump also linked Iran to the October 7 attack in Israel, whose third anniversary he said would soon be marked.

He said Iran-backed attackers killed 1,200 civilians, including Americans. Trump further claimed that the Iranian government had killed more than 72,000 of its own citizens this year.

He used those claims to argue against allowing Tehran to obtain a nuclear capability, saying it would give the Iranian state greater freedom to conduct attacks.

Strait of Hormuz Operations

Trump also highlighted U.S. naval activity in the Strait of Hormuz.

He said the U.S. Navy had escorted more than 1bn barrels of oil through the waterway and that oil flows were now higher than at any point since the start of the war.

Trump said groups of between 22 and 37 ships were being escorted through the strait on a daily and nightly basis.

Broader Message of U.S. Strength

The Iran warning formed part of a broader speech in which Trump portrayed the U.S. as economically and militarily resurgent.

He said America was stronger than ever and described the U.S. economy as “the envy of the world.”

ICC and Wider Foreign Policy

Trump called on countries to withdraw from the International Criminal Court, describing the institution as beyond its legitimate authority.

He said the U.S. would reject attempts by the court to investigate or prosecute American service members or others under U.S. protection.

Trump also said Christians were facing persecution around the world.

He cited comments from the leaders of Pakistan, Azerbaijan and Armenia crediting his involvement in international diplomacy, and said the U.S. had ended the war in Gaza.