Trump threatens to annihilate Iran

At the UN on Tuesday, US President Donald Trump said he would either negotiate a deal or annihilate the Islamic Republic quickly.

“annihilate the Islamic Republic and do it quickly”

Iran's president rejects the threat

Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian told the UN that Iran will never bend the knee to bullying and pressure.

“We will never bow our head or bend the knee”

War has killed hundreds of civilians

Pezeshkian showed the UN photos of over one hundred seventy five civilians, two thirds of them children, killed in US and Israeli strikes in late February.

Seven months of escalating conflict

The war began in February when the US and Israel killed Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Iran retaliated with missile and drone attacks and closed the Strait of Hormuz.

The blockade broke a June ceasefire

The US and Iran agreed in June to end the war and reopen the strait, but it collapsed when Iranian attacks on shipping resumed and the US reinstated its blockade in April.

Iran demands the blockade ends

Pezeshkian said any deal must include an end to the US blockade stopping Iranian ships from using the Strait of Hormuz.

“It cannot be the case that everyone benefits from the Strait of Hormuz while we are denied access”

Iran signals readiness for talks

Pezeshkian said Iran is ready for dialogue and diplomacy without accepting the language of force. He also insisted Iran will not give up its right to a civilian nuclear programme.

“We are ready for dialogue and diplomacy and negotiations without accepting the language of force”

First talks in months begin

On Tuesday, Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and US envoy Steve Witkoff held indirect talks brokered by Qatar, the first since June.