President Trump defends decision to start war with Iran at UN — Asharq Al-Awsat

US President Donald Trump, during his address to the 81st session of the UN General Assembly in New York, defended his decision to start a war against Iran. As Asharq Al-Awsat reports, the US president said he does not intend to delay addressing threats that, in his view, could intensify.

Statements on Iran

Trump accused Tehran of delaying agreements on the full reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and negotiations to end the war before the US midterm elections. He rejected suggestions that the electoral process affects his approach to Iran.

During the speech, the Iranian delegation left the hall. Trump insists that military action is necessary because of the nuclear threat posed by Iran. In his UN address last year, he said that the United States had destroyed Iran's nuclear capabilities after bombing three key facilities in June 2025.

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Meetings on the sidelines of the General Assembly

According to the White House, after his speech Trump was to hold talks with UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. A less formal meeting with Venezuela's acting president, Delcy Rodríguez, was also expected.

Before his speech, the US president responded sharply to a CNN journalist. The day before, Trump announced a ban on CNN, MS NOW, and Politico from access to the White House grounds, citing bias in their coverage of his presidency. These media outlets filed a lawsuit to restore access to the White House grounds.

According to Asharq Al-Awsat's assessment, Trump's foreign policy course, including the war with Iran, is making it more difficult for Republicans to retain control of both chambers of Congress in the upcoming midterm elections.