Trump denounces Iran’s ‘blood lust’
•US president vows to ramp up sanctions •UN protesters demand regime change in Tehran
US President Donald Trump on Tuesday denounced Iran’s “blood lust” as protesters outside the UN building in New York demanded regime change in Tehran.
In an address to the UN General Assembly, Trump urged other nations to join the US in ramping up the pressure on Iran, and promised to continue crippling its economy with sanctions until Tehran agreed to give up its pursuit of nuclear weapons.
“All nations have a duty to act,” the president said. “No responsible government should subsidize Iran’s blood lust. As long as Iran’s menacing behavior continues, sanctions will not be lifted, they will be tightened.”
Nevertheless, Trump offered hope to Iran if its leaders changed their destabilizing conduct. “America knows that while anyone can make war, only the most courageous can choose peace,” he said. “America is ready to embrace friendship to all who genuinely seek peace and respect.
“The US has never believed in permanent enemies. We want partners, not adversaries.”
Before Trump spoke, thousands of Iranian-Americans mounted their largest demonstration so far in a week of protests outside the UN building. They heard speeches
REGIME FACES THE HEAT
by former New York Mayor Rudi Giuliani and former senators Joe Lieberman and Robert Torricelli, and a video message from Maryam Rajavi, President of the National Council of Resistance of Iran. “Following the recent attack by the clerical regime from inside Iran against Saudi oil infrastructure using missiles and drones, the real question facing the international community is no longer about who conducted the attack but rather the imperative to advance a complete policy of decisiveness and firmness against this regime,” Rajavi said.
“There is a direct correlation between the regime’s fear of being overthrown, and its terrorism and warmongering. The regime is surrounded by a disenchanted population who are firmly convinced that their liberation will not be possible without the mullahs’ overthrow. The days of their religious fascism are numbered. Iran will be free.”
Further protests are expected on Wednesday when Iranian President Hassan Rouhani addresses the General Assembly.
The world “should not be fooled” by false gestures of goodwill from Iran’s representatives, Dr. Majid Sadeghpour, political director of the Organization of Iranian American Communities, told Arab News. “No amount of economic and political concessions can moderate the behavior of this medieval regime,” he said. “The mullahs understand only the language of power and firmness. Maximum pressure must be applied to help the Iranian people free themselves.
“We will continue protesting until the Iranian regime is held responsible for its atrocities against the people of Iran.”