President Donald Trump claimed that US and Iranian officials met on Tuesday on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly, shortly after he threatened to “annihilate” the Islamic Republic address if a deal is not reached soon.
Trump did not elaborate on the details of the discussion, stating simply, “It was a good meeting.”
Earlier, during a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Trump noted that US special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner were part of the US team that met with mediators involved in talks regarding a deal with Iran.
"The meeting went very well. It ended an hour ago. It was a meeting that lasted for three hours. It was a very good meeting." Trump said.
"I can't imagine why they wouldn't want to do it. In one case, it's obliteration, and the other alternative is potential greatness. It could be a great country."
During his earlier address to the General Assembly, Trump suggested he stood at a crossroads while calling on the Islamic Republic to fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz and return to the negotiating table to settle the conflict.
"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? Or do I annihilate the Islamic Republic and do it quickly, never giving them a chance to kill and destroy people and countries again?"
While Trump also boasted during his speech about a US military operation in Venezuela and a new agreement to expand the US military presence in Greenland, a vigorous defense of the Iran conflict remained at the center of his address.
"The terrorist regime is behaving badly, not because they are strong and confident, but because they are weak and desperate," Trump said.
The President further accused Iran of stalling negotiations to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and end the conflict until after the United States midterm elections. However, he insisted that this tactic would have no effect on his approach to the situation.
According to reports, a majority of the Iranian delegation walked out of the chamber as Trump launched into his criticisms of Tehran.
