Trump defends Iran war, says Tehran is delaying a deal

US President Donald Trump defended his decision to start the war with Iran in his UN General Assembly address, accused Tehran of delaying negotiations and reopening the Strait of Hormuz, and highlighted his administration's domestic record

United Nations: President Donald Trump returned to the UN General Assembly on Tuesday at a tumultuous moment for the world and his presidency, making the case that he had shown fortitude while other leaders had equivocated.

Trump began his address by highlighting what he described as progress, including the addition of private-sector jobs, curbing illegal migration and reducing crime, before turning to a forceful defence of his decision to start a war with Iran.

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Trump accused Iran of delaying a deal to fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz and negotiate an end to the war until after the US midterm elections.

“I gave absolutely no credence and will not give credence to the election when it comes to Iran,” Trump said. “It doesn’t even enter my mind.”

Iran’s delegation walked out as Trump criticised the Islamic Republic.

The global economy has been shaken by his decision to launch a war in the Middle East. Anxiety over the social impact of artificial intelligence is also growing. Questions also linger about the future of the United Nations amid Trump’s scaling back of US financial support for the world body.

As he arrived at the UN, Trump briefly spoke to reporters, telling them it was an honour to address the world body before turning his attention to the news media.

Trump over the weekend announced a White House ban on CNN, MS NOW and Politico, claiming that their coverage of his presidency was biased. The news outlets have filed a lawsuit seeking to restore their access to White House grounds. Trump also confronted a CNN reporter in the UN media scrum.

“I’m surprised that CNN is here covering me,” Trump said. “You shouldn’t be here.”

After his speech to the annual gathering of world leaders, Trump was expected to hold talks with British Prime Minister Andy Burnham, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, as well as a more informal meeting with Venezuela’s acting President Delcy Rodriguez, according to the White House.

He was also scheduled to meet with leaders and senior officials from Gulf Cooperation Council nations — Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates — to discuss the way ahead in the war with Iran and concerns over recent Iran-backed attacks on Saudi Arabia.

Trump also planned to take part in an event on the Shield of the Americas, an initiative he launched with Latin American countries earlier this year focused on combating violent cartels.

The visit to the UN comes as Trump’s foreign policy approach, particularly his decision to start a war with Iran, has become an issue for fellow Republicans seeking to retain control of both chambers of Congress in the coming midterm elections.

Nevertheless, Trump argued in his address that the world was better off under his leadership.

“As president of the most extraordinary nation in history,” Trump said, “I have no interest in leaving dangers to grow for another day. I do not believe in letting problems fester.”