Trump threatens annihilation

At the UN General Assembly, Trump said he could either make a deal with Iran or annihilate the Islamic Republic, framing the conflict as a choice between negotiation and overwhelming force.

“Or do I annihilate the Islamic Republic and do it quickly, never giving them a chance to kill and destroy people and countries again?”

First talks since ceasefire broke

Iran's foreign minister Abbas Araghchi and Trump's envoy Steve Witkoff met at the UN in New York, mediated by Qatar. This was their first meeting since the June ceasefire collapsed.

No breakthrough yet reported

Witkoff said the three-hour meeting was constructive and promising, but no deal was announced. Iran repeated its demand that the US end its acts of aggression.

“They successfully completed a round of discussions that we hope will prove constructive and promising.”

War disrupted global oil supplies

The US and Israel struck Iran on February 28th. Iran responded by attacking Israel and US bases, then blocked the Strait of Hormuz, cutting off 20% of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas.

Elections pressure Trump to act

Congressional elections are in November, and the oil price chaos has increased pressure on Trump to end the conflict. He predicted a deal would come right after the vote.

Iran demands war end on all fronts

Iran's conditions include stopping the war everywhere, not just with the US. This covers US attacks on Iranian sites, the blockade of Iranian ports, and Israeli operations against Hezbollah in Lebanon.

Trump threatens sanctions on traders

To force Iran to agree, Trump has threatened sanctions against any country that continues trading with Iran. So far, there is no sign Iran will change course.