United Nations (United States) (AFP) – President Donald Trump told the United Nations on Tuesday he was deciding whether to “annihilate” Iran – before revealing that US and Iranian officials had held talks for the first time in months.

Trump’s carrot-and-stick approach came as he delivered a bombastic speech to the UN General Assembly in New York focused heavily on his stalled, unpopular war against the Islamic Republic.

“I have a big decision to make – will a deal be made with Iran that lets them rebuild and create a far greater country?” the 80-year-old said in his speech, during which all but one member of the Iranian delegation walked out.

“Or do I annihilate the Islamic Republic and do it quickly, never giving them a chance to kill and destroy people and countries again? Do I drive them into hell with no chance of survival?”

Trump said he believed Iran would make a deal immediately after November’s midterm elections – in which Republicans face losing control of Congress due largely to the conflict’s drag on the US economy.

But just hours later, Trump revealed that Iranian and US representatives had met for “very good” talks on the sidelines of the UN gathering.

The meeting lasted three hours and included Trump’s business friend-turned roving global negotiator Steve Witkoff and son-in-law Jared Kushner, he said.

“They had a very good meeting, a very productive meeting – they have another one scheduled in the very near future,” Trump told reporters as he met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

“I can’t imagine why they wouldn’t want to do it. It’s potential greatness, or obliteration.”

Witkoff told reporters that “I feel very good right now” about the Iranian meeting but would not give further details.

It is believed to be the first face-to-face meeting between Iranian and US officials since US Vice President JD Vance met senior Tehran officials in Switzerland in June.

…