Trump on Iran: Wipe it out or make a deal
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- President Donald Trump said he sees a choice between reaching a deal with Iran and continuing economic and military pressure.
- Trump also said he is open to meeting Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian during the UN General Assembly in New York.
US President Donald Trump has outlined what he described as two possible paths for the Iran war: reaching a deal with Tehran or continuing a campaign of military and economic pressure.
In an interview with Fox News, Trump said the options included “obliterate Iran, letting it rot economically, or reach a deal.”
Trump has made similar remarks in recent days as Washington weighs whether to intensify military operations or pursue renewed diplomacy with Tehran. He told Axios earlier this week that he was approaching a “big decision” over whether to “annihilate” the Iranian regime or refrain from doing so.
Read more: Trump cuts Camp David retreat short, ahead of schedule: Axios
Trump also said he was open to meeting Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York this week.
Pezeshkian and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi have received US visas to attend the General Assembly, according to Fox News.
The possibility of direct contact comes as diplomatic efforts continue alongside the military confrontation. Turkey's Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said this week that Turkey and other countries were putting forward proposals aimed at bringing Washington and Tehran toward an agreement.
Read more: Iran lays out conditions to return to talks with US
Trump said the current week was no different from any other week in the Middle East despite security warnings issued to US citizens across the region.
He also said the United States remained in contact with the Houthis and claimed the group had agreed not to fight Washington.
The comments come as fighting involving the Houthis has intensified in the region. Recent Houthi advances along Yemen's Red Sea coast have raised concerns over shipping and energy routes, while Saudi Arabia has faced attacks involving drones and other weapons.
Trump additionally described some Iranian officials as “hiding like rats” and said he believed it was difficult to identify anyone capable of reaching a deal with Washington.
His comments come as the US maintains military and economic pressure on Iran while leaving open the possibility of negotiations. Fox News reported that the administration expects Trump to focus on Iran's nuclear program during his upcoming UN General Assembly address.
