Donald Trump has urged countries around the world to impose complete economic isolation on Iran, arguing that coordinated international action would weaken Tehran and help drive down global energy prices.
“I call on all nations to help to enforce the complete economic isolation of Iran,” Trump told the UN General Assembly in New York on Tuesday.
“If we stand united, we will soon see a world free of the last 51-year menace of Iranian terror … and oil prices will come plummeting down even lower than they were at the start of the conflict.”
His appeal came despite mounting criticism from several US allies over rising energy costs and increasing global instability. During the speech, Trump also suggested that he could “annihilate” Iran if an agreement could not be reached.
Addressing world leaders on the opening day of the General Assembly’s high-level week, the US president presented a forceful defence of his administration’s foreign policy, including its decision to launch strikes against Iran alongside Israel in February.
“I have a big decision to make: will a deal be made with Iran that let them rebuild and create a far greater country than ever was before,” he said. “Or do I annihilate the Islamic republic and do it quickly, never giving them a chance to kill or destroy people and continents?”
Trump dismissed suggestions that domestic political considerations were influencing his approach to the conflict. He insisted that the upcoming midterm elections would have no bearing on his decisions.
“They’re waiting to see how I do in the midterm election. What they don’t realise is that I’m not running,” he said. “It doesn’t even enter my mind. The only thing that does is that Iran will never have a nuclear weapon.”
Energy markets have faced considerable pressure since Iran tightened its control over shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. Prices have also been affected by the war in Ukraine, where Kyiv has repeatedly targeted Russian oil-refining infrastructure.
Trump claimed once again that he was close to securing an agreement to end the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. He is expected to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and press both Kyiv and Moscow to accept an energy truce aimed at easing the rise in diesel prices.
The president also used his UN appearance to promote the development of artificial intelligence, which he described as “superintelligence”.
He rejected warnings about the possible dangers of uncontrolled AI growth as a “hoax” and said Washington would not impose restrictions that could hinder the industry.
“I’m not going to stifle growth of something that will be bigger than the Industrial Revolution,” he said.
Trump also announced plans for the United States to establish two new military bases in Greenland under an agreement with Denmark. The move follows months of diplomatic tension surrounding the strategically important Arctic territory and concerns within Nato about Washington’s ambitions there.
“We will have the complete ability to do what is necessary to defend the American continent, and also Europe and other places,” Trump said while announcing the two “major” bases.
“No US adversary will ever be permitted to establish a military presence in Greenland any more, or make sensitive investments there without our express written approval.”
After completing his address, Trump signed the Greenland agreement with Denmark. He has previously warned that Russia and China could seek to expand their influence over the territory, although evidence of an imminent threat has remained limited.
Elsewhere in the speech, Trump denied that the US was experiencing shortages of essential weapons and ammunition, declaring that “we have more munitions than we could ever possibly even think of using”. He also denounced the International Criminal Court as a “rogue organisation”.
Although his remarks remained confrontational, the address was less hostile towards the UN and Washington’s European partners than his speech the previous year. At one point, he turned to thank the UN Security Council for condemning Iranian attacks against vessels in the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump also criticised Cuba, describing it as “an absolutely failed state”. The Cuban delegation walked out of the chamber as he continued his attack and called for “a fundamental change in the situation in Cuba”.
Bruno Rodríguez, the head of Cuba’s delegation, later dismissed the president’s claims as “falsehoods” and “slander”.
The US president also defended Washington’s arrest of former Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro during a midnight raid.
He praised the subsequent oil agreement reached with Maduro’s successor, Delcy Rodríguez, who has adopted a more cooperative approach towards the United States and agreed to share a portion of Venezuela’s oil wealth.
“To the victor belong the spoils,” Trump said.
Trump is expected to meet Gulf leaders affected by Iran’s retaliation following the joint US-Israeli strikes. He is also scheduled to hold informal talks with Rodríguez, whose oil-rich country has taken on greater importance as Washington seeks to stabilise global energy supplies.
