“Iran is deliberately delaying both the full opening of the Hormuz Strait and the final talks to bring the West Asian war to an end,” US President Donald Trump alleged on Tuesday.
Speaking at the general debate session of the 81st UN General Assembly, which began in New York on Tuesday amid challenges such as intensifying conflicts around the world, AI threats, and climate change, he said this.
Leaders and representatives from more than a hundred countries around the world are participating in and will address this UN annual conference. UN Secretary-General António Guterres and the 81st President of the UN General Assembly, Khalilur Rahman, delivered speeches and inaugurated the first morning session. Following this, Brazilian President Lula da Silva delivered the traditional opening address on behalf of the member states.
Following them, U.S. President Trump, from the country that hosts the UN headquarters, said in his speech: Iran is deliberately delaying both reaching an agreement to fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz and holding final talks to bring the war to an end.
Iran is trying to drag this issue out until the U.S. congressional midterm elections are over. But on the Iran issue, I have given no importance to the election; nor will I in the future.
As the president of one of the greatest nations in history, I do not believe in postponing problems instead of solving them. I will never allow Iran to obtain nuclear weapons.
Will a new agreement be reached with Iran, allowing that country to rebuild itself? Or should it be wiped out entirely, leaving it with no chance to harm other countries? Or should I make a crucial decision to push them into hell, with no way for the next generation to even come into existence? I have to make that important decision. However, Trump said he believes an agreement will be reached immediately after the midterm elections.
Iranian delegates walk out: In the morning session on the first day, Jordan’s King Abdullah, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan, and French President Emmanuel also spoke.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi have also come to the United States to attend the UN meeting. However, they did not come to the assembly during Trump’s speech. While only a small delegation from Iran participated, they too walked out of the hall a few minutes after Trump began speaking.
Reform is necessary: In the opening address delivered by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres ahead of Trump’s speech, he said, “When the UN was founded, African countries that were under colonial rule were not given permanent membership status in the Security Council even to this day. This is completely unjust; it needs to be changed.
Moreover, reform in international organizations is an imperative of the times to address the various challenges prevailing in the world today. He said that issues such as technological advancement and climate change must be confronted collectively.
Before Antonio Guterres’s term ends in December, he delivered his final annual address. All the leaders present in the assembly applauded and welcomed his remarks that Africa should receive the recognition it deserves.
Only five countries—the United States, Britain, France, Russia, and China—are permanent members of the Security Council with veto power. It is noteworthy that countries including India have long been seeking permanent membership status in this council.