Trump Stuns UN With «Annihilate» Iran Threat and Prediction Cuba «Will Fall» as Delegates Walk Out

Donald Trump delivered an unusually confrontational address to the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York, defending the nearly seven-month U.S. war with Iran while issuing severe warnings toward Tehran and Cuba. His remarks triggered visible protests inside the chamber, with most Iranian representatives present and, later, Cuban delegates walking out during the speech.

Iran became the target of some of Trump’s strongest language. Defending his military campaign, the president portrayed Tehran as weakened by months of pressure. «The terrorist regime is behaving badly, not because they are strong and confident, but because they are weak and desperate,» Trump told world leaders gathered inside the General Assembly Hall.

Trump then described the conflict as approaching a decisive moment. «I have a big decision to make,» he declared. The president presented diplomacy as one possibility, asking whether an agreement could allow Iran to «rebuild and create a far greater country than it ever was before,» potentially transforming its future after months of war.

Trump immediately followed that possibility with an extraordinary military threat. «Or do I annihilate the Islamic Republic and do it quickly, never giving them a chance to kill and destroy people and countries again?» he asked. Trump escalated further, threatening to «drive them into hell with no chance of survival and no hope of future greatness or generations.»

The reaction became visible inside the chamber. Roughly 10 minutes into Trump’s address, most lower-level Iranian diplomats and staff members present stood and walked out. At least one Iranian representative remained seated. President Masoud Pezeshkian and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi were in New York for the UN gathering but were not inside the hall during Trump’s address.

Despite his threats, Trump maintained that an agreement remained possible and accused Tehran of delaying negotiations until after the November midterm elections. «I believe we’ll make a deal right after the election because it doesn’t make sense for them not to,» Trump said, leaving diplomacy on the table even as he publicly threatened the Islamic Republic with destruction.

Trump then shifted toward Cuba and predicted dramatic political change on the island. «It’s an absolutely failed state. It’s failing like never before, and it will fall,» he declared. Trump said Washington would «not allow a haven for foreign adversaries to threaten America on our own doorstep» while describing his administration as pursuing a «fundamental change» in Havana.

Trump’s remarks prompted another visible protest as Cuban representatives stood and walked out of the General Assembly Hall. The president continued his attack on the communist government, declaring, «Communism will never enter America. Instead, freedom, safety, and security will come to Cuba.» He also said Secretary of State Marco Rubio was involved in sensitive negotiations with Cuban officials.

Trump’s confrontational message contrasted sharply with appeals for diplomacy elsewhere at the gathering. UN Secretary-General António Guterres warned that «military power alone cannot secure peace,» while Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva emphasized diplomacy amid concerns about international conflicts and their economic consequences. Trump instead repeatedly defended American military power and his administration’s foreign-policy record.

Only hours after raising the possibility of destroying the Islamic Republic, Trump sounded considerably more optimistic about negotiations. «I think that a settlement is going to be reached,» he said following a meeting with British Prime Minister Andy Burnham. «They want to talk to us. They have been talking to us, even today.»

Trump continued, «They’ve been talking to us, and the relationship is developing.» The comments created a striking contrast with his earlier threat to «annihilate the Islamic Republic.» After leaving the General Assembly, Trump moved into diplomatic meetings and events, leaving unresolved whether his severe public warnings toward Iran will lead to further escalation or the settlement he says remains possible.