Trump Threatens Iran Annihilation, Iran Calls Threats Strategic Desperation

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian addressed the United Nations General Assembly on Wednesday, stating his country has been a victim of terrorism and has never been an aggressor.

His speech followed U.S. President Donald Trump's address Tuesday, where Trump told the UNGA he faced a decision between a deal with Iran or to annihilate the Islamic Republic and drive it into hell with no chance of survival. Iran's General Staff responded Wednesday, calling Trump's threats a sign of strategic desperation and warning of more crushing strikes.

Trump also stated that U.S. officials held a very good three-hour meeting with Iranian envoys on the sidelines of the UN gathering. Pezeshkian's address marked his first UNGA speech since the conflict with the U.S. and Israel began. He showed a picture of a school in Minab that was struck on the first day of the war, killing approximately 170 people, mostly schoolgirls.

A preliminary U.S. assessment determined American forces were likely responsible, though the school was not deliberately targeted. Iran communicated conditions for ending the war, including a halt to U.S. acts of aggression, an end to the naval blockade and economic warfare, and the release of Iranian assets. These conditions were aimed at restoring traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.

Trump also predicted a deal would be made with Iran right after the November midterm elections, stating that Iran was waiting to see his performance in the election. The U.S. delegation walked out at the start of Pezeshkian's speech, mirroring Iran's delegation walking out during Trump's address.