Trump warns Iran at UN of 'annihilation' unless new deal reached

US President Donald Trump delivered a high-stakes address to the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Wednesday, 23 September, labelling Iran the "number one sponsor of terror" and warning of a "big decision" between a new diplomatic deal or total military annihilation. Trump warns of military escalation Addressing world leaders, Trump defended recent US military strikes against the Islamic Republic, claiming the operations severely damaged Tehran’s nuclear infrastructure. He framed the current conflict as a necessary correction to decades of failed diplomacy, stating that Iran was previously the "bully of the Middle East" but asserting that this era has ended under his administration's pressure. "I have a big decision to make," Trump said at the UN. "Will a deal be made with Iran that lets them rebuild... or do I annihilate the Islamic Republic, and do it quickly, never giving them a chance to kill and destroy again?" The Iranian delegation reportedly walked out of the assembly during the speech. Energy security and the Strait of Hormuz The US President linked regional stability directly to the Strait of Hormuz, a vital maritime chokepoint for global energy markets. According to Trump, the US Navy recently escorted more than one billion barrels of oil through the waterway to ensure the flow of exports from Gulf producers. He called on Tehran to reopen the strait and return to the negotiating table to avoid further disruption to shipping costs and global insurance…