Trump Blasts Iran Nuclear Deal in First Speech at UN
TEHRAN (Tasnim) - US president Donald Trump used his maiden speech at the 72nd session of the UN General Assembly on Tuesday to deplore July 2015 deal between Iran and world powers over the country's nuclear program.
Trump told the United Nations General Assembly that the internationally-negotiated nuclear agreement with Iran is an “embarrassment” to the United States.
He described the Iran nuclear agreement, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, as “the worst and most one-sided transaction the US has ever entered into,” a characterization he often used during his presidential campaign.
“I don’t think you’ve heard the last of it, believe me,” Trump said.
Iran and the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council – the United States, France, Britain, Russia and China – plus Germany signed the nuclear agreement on July 14, 2015 and started implementing it on January 16, 2016.
Under the JCPOA, Iran undertook to put limitations on its nuclear program in exchange for the removal of nuclear-related sanctions imposed against Tehran.
In his address, Trump also accused the Iranian government of exporting “violence, bloodshed and chaos.”
"Iran must stop supporting terrorists, begin serving its own people and respect the sovereign rights of its neighbors."
Elsewhere in his speech, Trump warned that he would “totally destroy” North Korea if the country threatened the United States or its allies.
"The United States has great strength and patience, but if it is forced to defend itself or its allies, we will have no choice but to totally destroy North Korea," he said.
"It is time for North Korea to realize that its denuclearization is its only responsible future," he added.
Trump also warned that North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, whom he referred to as "rocket man", "is on a suicide mission for himself."
Trump also praised the United Nations for imposing economic sanctions on Pyongyang over its recent nuclear and ballistic missile tests.
Trump called on the international community to further isolate North Korea in light of its "reckless pursuit" of nuclear weapons.
"It is an outrage that some nations would not only trade with such a nation but would arm, supply and financially support a country that imperils the world."
Also, the US president pointed to the issue of terrorism, saying the world faced a “great peril” from terrorists with expanding reach across the globe and “rogue regimes” that supported them.
“We meet at a time of immense promise and great peril,” Trump said. “It is up to us whether we will lift the world to new heights or let it fall into a valley of disrepair.”
Trump, who has criticized the UN in the past as weak and incompetent, said, "The powerful people in this room, under the guidance and auspices of the United Nations can solve many of these vicious and complex problems.”
The president indicated that the United States was prepared to combat global instability through military force. "Our military will soon be the strongest it's ever been," he said.