International
Trump: Iran must choose between deal and destruction
United States President Donald Trump says he believes there will be a deal with Iran after the US midterm elections, though he warned that he could “annihilate” the country.
Trump made the remarks while addressing world leaders at the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Tuesday, September 22, 2026.
He said: “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?
“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 with no chance of survival and no hope of future greatness or generations?”
After outlining the dilemma, as he saw it, the president said he believed there would be a deal after the US midterm elections.
Trump also reiterated that he would never allow Iran to have a nuclear weapon, a statement that received brief applause.
Trump said: “They were the bully of the Middle East, but they are the bully no more.
“I call on all nations to join us in enforcing the complete economic isolation of Iran until they stop their attacks on commercial shipping, relinquish their nuclear ambitions, and cease their support of terror.”
As Trump spoke, many anti-Iranian government demonstrators gathered outside the UN headquarters. Some held signs calling for freedom and democracy while decrying dictatorship.
Trump also attacked the International Criminal Court (ICC) in strong terms during his speech, describing it as a “rogue” and “out-of-control” institution.
“I call on all nations that are members of the ICC to officially resign from this rogue institution immediately,” he said.
His comments came as his administration was preparing sanctions against the court, which it plans to announce soon.
Based in The Hague, Netherlands, the court prosecutes war crimes and genocide worldwide. The United States has never been a member, although many of its traditional allies are.
The Trump administration has made no secret of its opposition to the court and has worked to undermine it. US officials want the court to drop its arrest warrants against Israeli leaders, as well as a past probe into American troops in Afghanistan.
Trump also spoke about Russia’s war in Ukraine, saying: “We’re working very closely with the leaders of Russia and Ukraine, and we will get that one done.
“It’s going to happen, I think, more quickly than people understand.”
Trump has at times appeared frustrated that he has been unable to broker an end to the war, a goal he declared a priority when he began his second term in January 2025.