Trump Says "Considering When to Obliterate Iran... Open to Meeting Iranian President"

Weighing Options on Iran Policy... Pressure for Early Resumption of Talks
Iran Conveys Negotiation Terms... Firm Stance on Strait of Hormuz Control

Reuters Yonhap News

U.S. President Donald Trump is deliberating on how to respond to Iran and has suggested the possibility of meeting with the Iranian president at the United Nations (UN) General Assembly. The Iranian side has also confirmed that it has conveyed its terms for resuming negotiations to the United States. There is growing interest in whether the General Assembly might serve as a diplomatic breakthrough between the two countries.

In a phone interview with Fox News on September 20 (local time), President Trump said, "I am currently considering the available options, including obliterating Iran, driving it into economic ruin, or reaching an agreement," adding, "The real question is when to wipe out all of Iran. They need to watch their step." Asked whether he might meet Masoud Pezeshkian, Iran’s president, who will visit New York for the UN General Assembly on September 22, he stated, "It's probably open."

President Trump also commented on the Yemeni Houthi rebels, who are currently in conflict with Saudi Arabia, saying, "The U.S. is continuing to have contact with the Houthi rebels, and the Houthis have agreed not to fight against the United States."

The Iranian side stated that it has relayed conditions for resuming negotiations to the U.S. Mohsen Rezaee, Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, said in an interview with Al Jazeera, "We have conveyed our terms, aimed at ending the war with the United States and restarting negotiations, to a mediator country." He continued, "We have demanded an end to the war on all fronts, the release of Iran's frozen assets, and the lifting of the maritime blockade. We are waiting for President Trump's response."

However, Iran made it clear it remains unwilling to compromise on control over the Strait of Hormuz. Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Speaker of Iran's parliament, stated in a parliamentary speech, "Unless the conditions presented by Iran are met, reopening the Strait of Hormuz will not be possible," emphasizing, "Our adversaries should be very aware that deception and one-sided coercion will no longer work."

Some observers predict that restarting negotiations will remain difficult, even if the U.S. and Iran meet. The Guardian reported, "Even should the U.S. and Iranian presidents hold talks, it is uncertain whether they will make a breakthrough on resuming negotiations." The report added, "The U.S. State Department, citing the possibility of rising tensions, issued a security alert last weekend for Americans across the Middle East."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.