President Donald Trump promised to tighten sanctions against Iran unless the country changes its “menacing behavior,” as he called on other nations to ramp up their pressure in the wake of the recent attacks on Saudi oil facilities.
In a Sept. 24 address to the United Nations General Assembly, Trump delivered a stern message to Tehran and warned of further action by the United States in his third annual appearance at the gathering of world leaders.
“All nations have a duty to act,” he said. “No responsible government should subsidize Iran’s bloodlust. As long as Iran’s menacing behavior continues, sanctions will not be lifted, they will be tightened.”
A day earlier, France, Britain, and Germany joined the United States in saying Iran was responsible for the Saudi attacks. The countries called on Tehran to agree to negotiations on its nuclear and missile programs as well as other regional security issues during the first day of U.N. meetings.
During his speech in New York, Trump described Tehran as one of the “greatest security threats facing peace-loving nations today” and said the regime was “repressive,” pointing to the fact that the country was the No. 1 state sponsor of terrorism.
Trump also had tough comments against Iran’s leaders, accusing them of fueling the wars in both Syria and Yemen.
“Iran’s leaders will have turned a proud nation into another cautionary tale of what happens when a ruling class abandons its people and embarks upon a crusade for personal power and riches,” he said.
While Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen claimed responsibility for the attacks, the Saudis displayed drone and missile debris as “undeniable” evidence of Iranian involvement.
“The regime is squandering the nation’s wealth and future on a fanatical quest for nuclear weapons,” Trump said. “We must never allow this to happen.”
Rouhani told media on Sept. 24 that he was open to discussing small changes to the 2015 nuclear deal with world powers if the United States would lift its sanctions. Iran has begun enriching its uranium beyond the terms of the deal, which the United States unilaterally withdrew from more than a year earlier.
Trump also urged Iran’s leaders to put their people first and to stop their aggression toward other countries.
“After four decades of failure, it is time for Iran’s leaders to step forward. ... It is time for Iran leaders to finally put the Iranian people first,” he said. “America is ready to embrace friendship.”
The president also suggested a pathway to peace in saying that the United States “has never believed in permanent enemies.” He pointed to the “bold diplomacy” his administration has taken with North Korea as an example.
“We want partners, not adversaries,” Trump said. “America knows that while anyone can make war, only the most courageous can choose peace.”
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