Trump Says U.S. Officials Met With Iranians for Three Hours at UN General Assembly

Breaking News from the UN General Assembly

Trump told reporters that U.S. officials met with Iranian officials today at the U.N. General Assembly for three hours. US President Donald Trump said that members of his administration had a "very good meeting" with the Iranian delegation at the assembly.

Trump's Iran Decision

President Donald Trump said during his speech to global leaders at the United Nations General Assembly in New York City on Tuesday that he has a "big decision" to make: to strike a deal with Iran to end the war or to "annihilate the Islamic Republic" and "drive them into hell with no chance of survival and no hope of future greatness." Since the war began nearly seven months ago the president has made repeated threats to launch devastating attacks on Iran, only to pull back in hopes of a deal. He has backed off large threats on at least eight occasions.

Timeline for Resolution

The president defended the war with Iran, now in its seventh month, as necessary to stop the nation's nuclear program in remarks before world leaders. In a speech to world leaders at the United Nations General Assembly, President Donald Trump defended the Iran conflict and said he was considering whether to "annihilate" the country and drive it "into hell." But that won't happen until after the midterm elections in November, Trump predicted.

Context and Ongoing Conflict

As the war with Iran nears its eighth month -- impacting global oil prices and stability in the Middle East -- President Donald Trump is set to travel to New York City to address global leaders at the United Nations General Assembly and meet with key leaders on the sidelines of the event. Trump is set to meet with Gulf leaders on Tuesday, many of whom have borne the brunt of the economic impacts of the war.