Trump floats ‘big decision’ at UN on whether he’ll ‘annihilate’ Iran or make deal

President Trump told the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday that he has a major decision coming on the U.S. war in Iran and predicted a deal could be reached between the two countries after November’s midterm elections.

“I have a big decision to make,” Trump told the international body, including Iranian representatives. ”Will a deal be made with Iran that lets them rebuild and create a far greater country than it ever war before. Maybe the greatest in the Middle East or even the world.”

“Or do I annihilate the Islamic Republic, and do it quickly, never giving them a chance to kill and destroy people and countries again. Do I drive them into hell with no chance of survival and no hope of future greatness or generations?” he continued.

Trump went on to say he believes the two countries will make a deal after the elections.

“Because it doesn’t make sense for them not to,” he said.

“They’re waiting to see how I do in the midterm election. What they don’t realize is that I’m not running. I did that already, and won in a landslide,” he said, noting he will be in the presidency for two and a half more years.

Trump said he gives “absolutely no credence” to the midterms when it comes to Iran.

“It doesn’t even enter my mind. The only thing that does is that Iran will never have a nuclear weapon,” the president said to applause.

Trump’s address comes as the U.S. continues to be hit hard by rising energy prices as a result of the war in Iran. According to AAA, the national average for gas prices sat at $4.47 while diesel was at $6.52.

A growing number of Republicans are breaking with Trump on the war, with frontline Senate candidates in Iowa and Michigan making calls to end the war or provide immediate economic relief on Monday.

The president has seen his approval rating drop to record lows, with a Reuters/Ipsos poll released on Monday showing Trump’s approval at 32 percent. Republicans running in the midterms are also struggling in the polls, trailing Democrats on the generic ballot.

Trump committed the most time during his speech to the war in Iran, but also touted his interventions in Venezuela, Cuba, Greenland and efforts to end war in Gaza and Ukraine.

Throughout his comments, the UN’s live stream of the address cut to a lone Iranian representative sitting in the chamber.

The Iranian delegation to the assembly includes its president, Masoud Pezeshkian, and foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Tuesday that while nothing is scheduled, Trump would be open to meeting with Iranian officials at the international gathering.

Trump has a jam-packed schedule on Tuesday at the United Nations.

The president is slated to meet with a number of international leaders including the U.K. Prime Minister Andy Burnham, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Immediately following his address, he joined the leaders of Greenland and Denmark for a new security agreement.