"We cannot allow the world's leading sponsor of terrorism to possess the planet's most dangerous weapons," Trump told the UN General Assembly on Tuesday in New York.
"We cannot allow a regime that chants 'Death to America' and that threatens Israel with annihilation to possess the means to deliver a nuclear warhead to any city on Earth," he said.
Trump took the US out of the Iranian nuclear agreement this spring, a deal he has dubbed the “worst ever.”
Washington imposed a first round of sanctions in August and more targeting Iran’s oil industry will come into force in November.
American diplomats have been drumming up support for the sanctions and ending purchases of Iran’s oil.
"We ask all nations to isolate Iran's regime as long as its aggression continues,” Trump said at the UN.
If Trump was hoping to spark talks with Iran, he failed, according to an Iran analyst.
"The emphasis on coercion and pressure may find a receptive audience among US regional allies, but is hardly going to lure the Iranians back to the table,” said Ali Vaez, director of International Crisis Group’s Iran project.
"Lowering tensions between Tehran and Washington is critical - but insults make any accommodation a less likely proposition,” Vaez added in comments published by ICG.
In characteristic form, Trump tweeted earlier on Tuesday that he would be open to meeting Iranian President Hassan Rouhani in the future – “I am sure he is an absolutely lovely man!”
Despite requests, I have no plans to meet Iranian President Hassan Rouhani. Maybe someday in the future. I am sure he is an absolutely lovely man!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 25, 2018
US officials have said they would be open to discussing a new deal, one that also covers Iran’s regional activities and ballistic missile program – a notion Tehran has flatly rejected.
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani responded to Trump’s speech in his own comments to the UN General Assembly.
Hassan Rouhani President of Iran speaks during the General Debate of the 73rd session of the General Assembly at the United Nations in New York September 25, 2018. Photo: Bryan R. Smith/AFP
“The United States’ understanding of international relations is authoritarian. In its estimation, might makes right,” he said a few hours after Trump spoke. “No state and nation can be brought to the negotiation table by force.”
Any negotiations must be within the context of the nuclear deal and the Security Council resolution adopting the deal, he said and invited Trump to return to the table within the UN General Assembly chamber.
For dialogue, there is “no need for a photo opportunity,” he said. “I am starting the dialogue right here and state in unequivocal terms that the question of international security is not a toy in American domestic politics.”
“Our proposal is clear – commitment for commitment, violation for violation, threat for threat, and step for step, instead of talk for talk. What Iran says is clear: no war, no sanctions, no threats, no bullying, just acting according to the law and fulfillment of obligations.”
There is no plan for a meeting between the two in New York.
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via Defense News
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