Trump Defends US Military Action Against Iran, Calls for Economic Pressure

US President Donald Trump defended his administration’s military action against Iran during his address to the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York, while urging countries to maintain economic pressure on Tehran. He said Iran faced a choice between reaching an agreement and confronting further US military action.

Trump said the United States had targeted Iran’s nuclear programme and weakened its military capabilities. He reiterated Washington’s position that Iran must not be allowed to acquire nuclear weapons. He also called for the complete economic isolation of Iran until, according to his administration’s position, Tehran ends attacks on commercial shipping and stops supporting terrorism.

Addressing other international issues, Trump said efforts were continuing to bring the Russia-Ukraine conflict to an end. He also discussed developments in the Western Hemisphere, including Venezuela, where he described a US military operation that resulted in the arrest of President Nicolás Maduro. Trump said the United States was working with Venezuelan leaders towards what he described as a better future for the country. He also announced a major oil agreement between Washington and Caracas as part of his remarks on the country.

On Mexico, Trump focused on efforts to tackle transnational crime. He said drug cartels had been designated as foreign terrorist organisations and called on Mexico to regain control of its territory from criminal groups. He also referred to ongoing negotiations with Cuba, saying his administration was seeking fundamental changes in the situation there.

The US President also spoke about Greenland, describing the Arctic territory as strategically important to regional and international security. He referred to a new agreement involving the United States, Denmark and Greenland and said it would provide Washington with permanent responsibility for security and other needs on the territory. He also linked the arrangement to NATO’s security interests in the Arctic and North Atlantic. Artificial intelligence was another major subject in Trump’s address. He said the United States would encourage the development of advanced artificial intelligence, which he referred to as “superintelligence”. At the same time, he rejected what he described as international efforts to impose controls on the technology.

Trump also criticised several international institutions, including the International Criminal Court, UNESCO and the United Nations Human Rights Council. He questioned the ICC’s jurisdiction over the United States and called on countries to withdraw from the court.

He similarly criticised the UN Human Rights Council, accusing it of paying disproportionate attention to the United States while overlooking human rights abuses elsewhere. He also criticised UNESCO and the International Maritime Organization, arguing that international institutions should not promote what he characterised as global governance initiatives.