US President Donald Trump has said Iran will never be allowed to acquire a nuclear weapon, while leaving open the possibility of a deal that would allow Tehran to rebuild its country.
Addressing the 81st United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday, Trump said he had repeatedly offered Iran an opportunity to reach an agreement over its nuclear programme, but that Tehran had rejected his proposals.
“I will never allow Iran to have a nuclear weapon,” Trump said.
Trump said his administration had offered Iran economic cooperation in exchange for ending its nuclear programme and support for terrorism.
“Upon taking office last year, I immediately opened negotiations with Iran and offered them full economic cooperation and paid for ending their nuclear programme and support for terror, but they refused. They absolutely refused.”
“That was a big mistake,” he added.
Trump said the US subsequently launched military action against Iran’s nuclear programme, but maintained that Tehran could still choose a diplomatic path.
“And again, I urged Iran to make a deal, and again, they refused.”
He later set out what he described as the choice facing Iran: reaching a deal that would allow the country to rebuild or facing further military action.
“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?”
“Would we annihilate the Islamic Republic and do it quickly, never giving them a chance to kill and destroy people and countries again?”
Trump said he believed Iran would eventually agree to a deal.
“Do I drive them into hell with no chance of survival and no hope of future greatness or generations? But I believe we’ll make a deal right after the election, because it doesn’t make sense for them not to.”
He said Iran was waiting to see the outcome of the US midterm elections before deciding whether to negotiate.
“They’re waiting to see how I do in the midterm election. What they don’t realise is that I’m not running.”
Faridah Abdulkadiri
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