US President Donald Trump told UN General Assembly Tuesday he had to choose whether to annihilate Iran if it fails to make deal to end West Asia war.
"I have big decision to make - will deal be made with Iran that
lets them rebuild and create far greater country than ever was before, maybe one of greatest in Middle East or even world? Or do I annihilate Islamic Republic and do it quickly, never giving them 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?"
Trump reiterated he thought agreement possible before US midterm elections in November - where Republican party faces losing control of Congress at least partly due to high fuel prices caused by war. "I believe we'll make deal right after election because it doesn't make sense for them not to," he said.
"They're waiting to see how I do in midterm. What they don't realise I'm not running. I did that already, and won in landslide." He called for complete economic isolation of Iran.
Iran earlier hinted at reviving negotiations to end almost seven-month-old conflict with Presidents due at UN in New York. Secretary of State Marco Rubio told NBC US open to speaking with Iranians especially if prospects leading to something positive.
But in combative speech, Trump gave no sign readiness to compromise. Language - annihilate, drive into hell - at UNGA violates UN Charter spirit. For India, which imports oil and has Chabahar port, such rhetoric means more volatility. Oil futures already manipulated, such threats keep risk premium high.
Trump's deal-or-hell binary is not diplomacy, it is reality TV ultimatum. World that survived Cold War without annihilation talk now hears it at General Assembly podium