President Trump told the UN General Assembly he faces a "big decision" to either strike Iran again or pursue a peace agreement, prompting Iran's delegation to walk out. He defended the U.S. campaign against Iran as having prevented Tehran's nuclear ambitions and said he expects a deal could emerge after the November elections. Trump also pledged to broker an end to the Russia-Ukraine war, proposed calling AI "super intelligence" to emphasize U.S. leadership, and signed a pact to expand the U.S. military presence in Greenland. His remarks contrasted with António Guterres's warning about deepening global divisions.
Trump Tells UN He Faces 'Big Decision' on Iran — Strike or Seek Peace Deal
Trump also signed a deal with Denmark to beef up US military presence on Greenland [EPA]
Speaking to the United Nations General Assembly in New York, President Donald Trump said he faces a "big decision" over whether to strike Iran again or pursue a negotiated peace, provoking members of Iran's delegation to walk out of the chamber.
Key Points From Trump’s Address
Addressing a packed hall, Mr. Trump framed his remarks around national sovereignty, military strength and American technological leadership. He repeatedly defended the U.S. campaign against Iran as having prevented Tehran from acquiring a nuclear weapon and described the options before him in stark terms.
"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?"
Trump said he expects an Iran deal could come together after the November elections but emphasized his preference for "peace through strength" rather than compromise he views as dangerous. His remarks prompted a visible walkout by Iran's UN delegation.
Russia, Ukraine and Diplomacy
The president also vowed to broker an end to Russia's war in Ukraine, saying U.S. officials were "working very closely with the leaders of Russia and Ukraine" and predicting a resolution "more quickly than people understand." He said he plans many bilateral meetings during the high-level day of diplomacy.
Britain's PM Andy Burnham held his first face-to-face meeting with Trump [Reuters]
Artificial Intelligence: "Super Intelligence"
On technology, Mr. Trump downplayed alarm about artificial intelligence, suggesting the term "artificial intelligence" be replaced with "super intelligence" because "the use of the word artificial makes it sound fake." He warned against ceding technological leadership to China and criticized what he described as a "globalist scheme" to control AI development.
Greenland Pact and International Meetings
On the sidelines of the assembly, Trump signed an agreement with leaders from Denmark and Greenland to expand the U.S. military presence on the island. The pact reaffirms Greenland's sovereignty as an autonomous territory of Denmark while granting the United States greater access to Greenland's territory and airspace.
Trump is scheduled to meet more than a dozen world leaders, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Britain’s Prime Minister Andy Burnham, as well as leaders from several Gulf states.
Contrast With UN Secretary-General
Earlier, UN Secretary-General António Guterres delivered a farewell address warning that global fault lines are widening amid geopolitical rivalries, wars, climate change and rapid technological change, and stressing the "interdependence" of the world's peoples. Mr. Trump used his address to criticize international institutions, calling the UN a forum for "a far-left agenda of globalist bureaucrats who nobody ever elected."
Diplomatic Fallout
Trump also accused Cuba's government of cultivating ties with U.S. left-wing movements. As he criticized Havana and called the island a "failed state," the Cuban delegation appeared to leave the assembly chamber as well.
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