The United States and Iran held a rare three-hour meeting in New York on Tuesday to discuss ending the war between the two countries, President Donald Trump told reporters.
“It was a very good meeting, I must tell you,” said Trump, noting that he “can’t imagine” why Iran wouldn’t want to make a deal given the potential consequences of renewed U.S. military action.
“It’s greatness — potential greatness — or obliteration,” Trump said.
In-person meetings between the longtime enemies rarely happen, particularly on U.S. soil, but a delegation from Iran is in New York for the annual United Nations General Assembly. While Trump has signaled publicly that he’s comfortable with the war continuing through the midterms in November, U.S. officials have said privately that ending the unpopular conflict is a top priority of the White House.
The war launched by the U.S. and Israel in February has disrupted global energy prices, divided the president’s MAGA movement and sunk his approval ratings to historic lows. The subsequent U.S. blockade of Iran, meanwhile, has shattered Iran’s economy and prompted a currency crisis in the country.
During his speech before the U.N. General Assembly on Tuesday, Trump said Iran is “waiting to see how I do in the midterm elections.”
“What they don’t realize is that I am not running … I will be here for two-and-a-half years. I gave no credence and will not give credence to the election when it comes to Iran,” he added. “It doesn’t even enter my mind. The only thing that does is that Iran will never have a nuclear weapon.”
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