22/09/2026
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22/09/2026
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NEW YORK, Sept 22: US President Donald Trump said Tuesday that he expects to reach a deal with Iran after the US midterm elections, while warning that he faces a “big decision” over whether to pursue an agreement with Tehran or destroy the Islamic Republic.
“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?” Trump said in an address to the UN General Assembly in New York.
Trump said he believes “we’ll make a deal right after the election,” arguing that Tehran is waiting to see how Republicans perform in the November midterm elections.
“What they don't realize is that I'm not running. I did that already and won in a landslide,” Trump said, adding that he would remain in office for another two and a half years and help the Republican Party during the elections.
“I gave absolutely no credence and will not give credence to the election when it comes to Iran. It doesn't even enter my mind. The only thing that does is that Iran will never have a nuclear weapon,” he said.
Trump said he opened negotiations with Iran after taking office and offered “full economic cooperation” in exchange for Tehran ending its nuclear programme and supporting terrorism. He claimed Iran rejected the proposal.
He again claimed that US military action had “obliterated” Iran’s nuclear programme, saying it was buried “beneath mountains of rubble.”
“After giving Iran every chance for a deal, I took action to ensure that neither the United States nor any nation at all would ever have to face such a nightmare,” Trump said.
Trump also claimed that all 159 Iranian naval vessels had been destroyed, along with Iran’s air force, radar and air defense systems. He said the country’s missile and drone manufacturing capacity was “almost gone.”
He further claimed that Iran’s economy had been devastated and that inflation was “well over 300%.”
Trump accused Iran of violating a ceasefire agreed for nuclear discussions by attacking civilian ships from other countries transiting the Strait of Hormuz.
He also rejected claims that the United States is running low on munitions, saying Washington has more weapons than it could “ever possibly even think of using” and is expanding its stockpiles at unprecedented levels.
