What did Donald Trump say about a possible deal with Iran at the United Nations General Assembly?

Trump said he had a big decision to make over whether a deal would be reached with Iran. He said such a deal could let Iran rebuild and become a far greater country than before.

Why did Donald Trump say the Iran decision could come after the November midterm elections?

Trump said he believed a deal would be made right after the election because, in his view, it did not make sense for Iran not to wait. He said Iran was waiting to see how he does in the midterm election.

What political concern did Donald Trump connect to the war and Iran talks?

Trump said his Republican Party faces the risk of losing control of Congress in the midterm elections. He said high fuel prices caused by the war were part of the reason.

Trump says deciding between deal or driving Iran 'into hell'

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Summary

U.S. President Donald Trump told the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Tuesday that he must decide whether to reach a deal with Iran or act against it. He said he could make an agreement that lets Iran rebuild, or he could annihilate the Islamic Republic and drive it into hell. Trump also said he believed a deal could come right after the November midterm elections. He linked the timing to Iran waiting to see how he does in the election.

Key Facts

Trump made the remarks at the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Tuesday.
He framed the choice as either making a deal with Iran or annihilating the Islamic Republic.
Trump said he believed an agreement could be reached right after the November midterm elections.
He said his Republican Party faces the risk of losing control of Congress partly because of high fuel prices caused by the war.

By AFP

Published Sep 23, 2026 12:08 am KST

U.S. President Donald Trump addresses the 81st United Nations General Assembly at UN headquarters in New York City, Tuesday. Reuters-Yonhap

UNITED NATIONS — U.S. President Donald Trump told the United Nations General Assembly Tuesday that he had to choose whether to "annihilate" Iran if it fails to make a deal to end the Middle East war.

"I have a big decision to make -- 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?" Trump said.

"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?"

But Trump reiterated that he thought an agreement was possible before U.S. midterm elections in November -- in which his Republican party faces losing control of Congress at least partly due to high fuel prices caused by the war.

"I believe we'll make a deal right after the election because it doesn't make sense for them not to," Trump 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."

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