U.S. President Donald Trump has defended his administration’s military campaign against Iran, telling world leaders at the United Nations that Tehran’s military capabilities had been severely weakened.

Speaking during the opening of the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York on Tuesday, Trump said Iran no longer occupied the dominant position he attributed to it in the Middle East.

He maintained that preventing Iran from developing a nuclear weapon remained one of his administration’s major objectives.

Trump claimed that the U.S.-Israeli military operation had inflicted extensive damage on Iran’s military infrastructure, including its naval and air capabilities, radar systems, air-defence equipment and facilities linked to missile and drone production.

The U.S. and Israel launched military operations against Iran on February 28, with Tehran subsequently carrying out retaliatory attacks across the region.

During his address, Trump presented Iran with what he described as a choice between reaching an agreement with Washington or facing further military action.

He warned that, without a deal, the United States could move toward what he called the “annihilation” of the Islamic Republic.

Trump, however, also predicted that an agreement could eventually be reached and suggested that negotiations might make progress following the U.S. midterm elections scheduled for November.

Diplomatic Contacts

Trump’s remarks came amid reports of renewed diplomatic activity surrounding the conflict.

The president said U.S. representatives had held a productive meeting connected to Iranian negotiators on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.

He later clarified that his special envoys, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, had met with mediators involved in discussions with Iran rather than directly meeting senior Iranian officials.

Trump also called on other countries to support economic pressure on Tehran in an effort to bring the Iranian government back to the negotiating table.

The president’s UN appearance formed part of a wider diplomatic schedule that included meetings with several world leaders.

He also addressed other international issues, including the Russia-Ukraine conflict, relations with countries in the Western Hemisphere and the role of international organisations.

The Iran conflict has meanwhile continued to create economic and political pressure, particularly through its impact on energy prices and commercial shipping in the Middle East.

Trump said his administration remained committed to preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon, while leaving open the possibility of a diplomatic settlement to end the conflict.