US President Donald Trump addressed the UN General Assembly on Tuesday and delivered a roaring defense of nationalism and American sovereignty even as he tried to rally a multinational response to Iran's escalating aggression.
The president implored the world's leaders to prioritize their own nations, with strong borders and one-on-one trade deals, rejecting sweeping transnational organizations and alliances.
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"The future does not belong to globalists. The future belongs to patriots. The future belongs to strong, independent nations," Trump told a murmuring crowd at the General Assembly.
"Globalism exerted a religious pull over past leaders causing them to ignore their own national interests. Those days are over."
Focusing on the United States' self-interest, Trump said that the nation's security was jeopardized by the threat posed by Iran and warned Tehran to stop its aggression toward Washington's allies in the Middle East.
"All nations have a duty to act. 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," Trump warned.
"The United States does not seek conflict with any other nation. We desire peace, cooperation, and mutual gain with all. But I will never fail to defend America's interests."
As speculation mounted that Trump could meet in New York with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, the president raised the possibility of a diplomatic breakthrough, saying "the United States has never believed in permanent enemies. We want partners, not adversaries."
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said Tuesday he was open to discuss small changes, additions or amendments to the 2015 nuclear deal if the United States lifted sanctions imposed on the Islamic Republic.
"I will be open to discuss small changes, additions or amendments to nuclear deal if sanctions were taken away," Rouhani told media in New York.
While Trump wants allies to join the US in further isolating Iran, he also seems to be holding to his go-it-alone strategy of using economic sanctions to pressure Tehran to give up its nuclear program and stop attacks that are rattling the Middle East.
In the speech's first moments, Trump did not explicitly to blame Iran for recent strikes against oil facilities in Saudi Arabia. Iran has denied orchestrating the attack, which US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has deemed "an act of war."
Trump also addressed the ongoing standoff in Venezuela, denouncing the oppressive regime and vowing that the United States would "never be a socialist nation."
Trump praised his diplomatic efforts with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, even though the autocrat continues to hold a tight grip on his nuclear weapons. Trump has met Kim for summits in Singapore and Hanoi, Vietnam, and orchestrated a surprise encounter with him in June at the Demilitarized Zone, where he became the first US president to ever set foot in North Korea.
This was Trump's third speech to the world body.
