NEW YORK (MNN); US President Donald Trump, addressing the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday, warned that the United States could take further military action against Iran if Tehran does not agree to a deal over its nuclear programme, while also praising Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and again claiming a role in ending the May 2025 Pakistan-India military escalation.
Trump said Washington had offered Tehran economic cooperation in exchange for ending its nuclear programme and alleged support for militant groups, but claimed that Iran had refused to reach an agreement. He said negotiations had been pursued since he returned to office and that Tehran had subsequently expanded its missile and drone capabilities.
The US president said he faced what he described as a major choice: whether to reach an agreement that would allow Iran to rebuild or to take much more severe action against the Islamic Republic. He used the term “annihilate” while describing the consequences he said Iran could face if diplomacy failed.
Trump also called on other countries to join Washington’s campaign of economic pressure against Tehran, saying Iran should halt attacks affecting commercial shipping, abandon its nuclear ambitions and end support for militant groups.
He said he expected a possible agreement with Iran after the US midterm elections, scheduled for November, although no such agreement had been announced. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio separately said Washington remained open to talks with Iranian representatives at the UN, but no meeting had been scheduled at that point.
Iran has consistently rejected allegations that it is seeking nuclear weapons, maintaining that its nuclear programme is for peaceful purposes.
Trump Calls PM Shehbaz a ‘Terrific Man’
During the same UN address, Trump referred to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif as a “terrific man” while discussing conflicts he said he had helped bring to an end.
Trump again cited the May 2025 military confrontation between Pakistan and India among conflicts in which he claimed to have played a role in securing a ceasefire. He said leaders of several countries had expressed appreciation for his efforts.
The Pakistan-India escalation followed a deadly attack in occupied Kashmir in April 2025 and a subsequent exchange of military strikes between the two nuclear-armed neighbours. The fighting ended with a ceasefire in May after diplomatic engagement involving Washington. Trump has repeatedly claimed credit for helping bring about the cessation of hostilities.
During his UN speech, Trump also said that Prime Minister Shehbaz had described him as responsible for saving “30 million lives and probably many more than that.” The statement was presented by Trump as part of his account of his diplomatic record.
The 81st UN General Assembly’s general debate is being held from September 22 to 26, with an additional sitting on September 28.
