U.S. lashes out at Iran as world leaders gather at U.N.
NEW YORK — President Donald Trump and his top national security aides lashed out at Iran with unusual venom Tuesday, warning Tehran it faced severe consequences if it defied the United States.
Speeches by the president before the U.N. General Assembly and by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and national security adviser John Bolton to an organization that opposed the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran, from which the Trump administration withdrew in May, marked an escalation of rhetoric.
Trump blasted what he called Iran’s “corrupt dictatorship” and accused its leaders of enriching themselves through massive embezzlement and raiding state coffers to spread “mayhem” across the Middle East and around the world. Bolton warned Iran there would be “hell to pay” if it crossed the U.S. or its allies and partners.
Trump also vowed to continue to isolate Iran through U.S. sanctions that are being re-instated following his withdrawal from the 2015 nuclear deal. The next round of sanctions will take effect in early November.
He later predicted the pressure from renewed sanctions would force Iran back to the table to negotiate.
“Iran’s leaders sow chaos, death and destruction,” the president told the U.N. General Assembly in a 34minute speech that was more critical of Iran than any other country. “They do not respect their neighbors or borders or the sovereign rights of nations. Instead Iran’s leaders plunder the nation’s resources to enrich themselves and to spread mayhem across the Middle East and far beyond.”
In an even more fiery speech to a group opposed to the Iran deal, Bolton went further. “If you cross us, our allies, or our partners; if you harm our citizens; if you continue to lie, cheat and deceive, yes, there will indeed be hell to pay,” he was to say according to remarks released by the White House.
“The murderous regime and its supporters will face significant consequences if they do not change their behavior. Let my message today be clear: We are watching, and we will come after you,” Bolton was to say,
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo also spoke at the event hosted by United Against a Nuclear Iran being held to coincide with U.N. General Assembly.
In his speech, Pompeo unveiled a long list of Iranian misdeeds from its support of Syrian President Bashar Assad and Houthi rebels in Yemen to sponsoring or plotting attempted terrorist attacks in Africa, Asia, Europe and beyond.
“It is truly an outlaw regime,” he said. “There can be no question Iranian destructive activities are truly global in scope. It is therefore incumbent on every country to join our efforts to change the regime’s lawless behavior. The ongoing, multi-national, multi-continental nature of Iranian malign activity leaves no room for inaction or indecision.”
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, who also addressed the U.N., launched a scathing attack on Trump and his administration for abandoning international norms and imposing sanctions that amount to “economic terrorism.” He accused the United States on Tuesday of trying to overthrow his government.
“The United States’ understanding of international relations is authoritarian,” Rouhani said. “In its estimation, might makes right. Its understanding of power, not of legal and legitimate authority, is reflected in bullying and imposition.”