* Accuses Iran of sponsoring terrorism
* Says ‘I’ll never allow Iran to have nuclear weapon’
* Cuban delegation walks out on US President
* Nigeria to seek global institutional reforms, says Shettima
By Teddy Nwanunobi
As the world gathered for the 81st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in Manhattan, the US President, Donald Trump, on Tuesday, declared that he had to decide whether to make a deal with Iran or “annihilate” the country.
Trump also called Cuba an “absolutely failed state”, and accused it of “coordinating with left-wing radicals and Communist networks” in the U.S.
Trump defended his decision to launch a war against Iran, accusing the Islamic Republic of seeking to erect a defensive missile arsenal before making a “mad dash to a nuclear bomb.”
As the war approaches its eighth month with no clear end in sight, Trump said he is poised to make a “big decision” on whether to make a deal or quickly “annihilate” the country.
He then predicted once again that a deal will be made “right after” the November 3 midterm elections, claiming “it doesn’t make sense for them not to.”
”They’re waiting to see how I do in the midterm election,” he said. “What they don’t realize is that I’m not running.”
”I gave absolutely no credence and will not give credence to the election when it comes to Iran. It doesn’t even enter my mind. The only thing that does is that Iran will never have a nuclear weapon,” Trump said.
At a bilateral meeting with United Kingdom Prime Minister Andy Burnham after the speech, Trump added that he believes global energy prices, which have shot up due to the war and created upward inflation pressure, will retreat right after the conflict ends.
”I think as soon as the war’s over, the numbers are going to come way down,” Trump said, adding, “pricing generally, because oil is the big thing.”
In Cuba’s case, Trump said, “Communism will never be coming to America, but freedom will be coming to Cuba,” adding that the Secretary of State Marco Rubio was in negotiations with the island nation.
While he was still speaking, the Cuban delegation stood up and left the hall. The Cuban Embassy in Washington, D.C., did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Cuba’s foreign minister, on Tuesday, reacted furiously to “falsehoods” spread by US President Donald Trump, who told the United Nations the island “will fall.”
Cuban Foreign Minister, Bruno Rodriguez, asserted his country’s sovereignty after Trump said Cuba “will fall,” without elaborating how.
“The US government is incapable of accepting that Cuba is and has the right to be a full sovereign and independent country,” Rodriguez wrote on X, adding that “none of the falsehoods by the US President at the UN can deny that fact.”
“We are a country of peace and we deserve peace,” said Rodriguez, who is heading the Cuban delegation to New York.
President Miguel Diaz-Canel also denounced Trump’s bellicose rhetoric.
“Unable to justify the punishment against the people of Cuba and their genocidal economic war, the President of the United States repeats at the UN that Cuba represents a threat,” he posted on X.
“The lie is the resource of those who refuse to accept the right to self-determination of the Cuban people,” he said.
But Iran’s Iran’s President, Masoud Pezeshkian, who departed for New York to attend the UN General Assembly on Tuesday, vowed to “firmly defend” his country’s positions.
“We emerged with our heads held high, and this is a source of dignity and pride for all of us. Therefore, we will firmly defend our positions in international forums,” he said before flying out of Iran, according to footage broadcast by state television.
Pezeshkian is due to speak at the UN meeting on Wednesday.
“We will make the best possible use of this opportunity to convey Iran’s plight to the international community. We will firmly tell our adversaries that, despite all the unfairness and injustices, the Iranian people have stood their ground,” he said.
Pezeshkian will be the highest-ranking Iranian official to set foot on American soil since the start of the Middle East war, which began in late February with US-Israeli strikes on Iran.
Meanwhile, Nigeria’s engagements at the 81st Session of UNGA will be guided by the country’s national interest, commitment to multilateralism, and President Bola Tinubu’s consistent advocacy for reforms of global institutions to reflect contemporary economic and demographic realities.
Vice President Kashim Shettima stated this shortly after he arrived in New York, United States, to represent Tinubu and lead Nigeria’s delegation to the event, according to a statement on Monday.
VP Shettima said Nigeria’s engagements at the global gathering would be guided by the country’s national interest, commitment to multilateralism and President Tinubu’s consistent advocacy for reforms of global institutions to reflect contemporary economic and demographic realities.
“Our message in New York is clear. Nigeria believes in multilateralism, but the institutions that govern our world must become more representative, equitable, and responsive to the realities of today,” Shettima was quoted as saying in the statement signed by his media aide, Stanley Nkwocha.
“We will engage our partners firmly from the standpoint of Nigeria’s national interest while advancing President Tinubu’s call for a global system that gives developing countries a stronger voice and a fairer opportunity to prosper.”
The Vice President arrived in the company of Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State; Minister of State for Budget and Economic Planning, Doris Uzoka-Anite, and other senior government officials.
On arrival in New York, Shettima was received by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, the Deputy Chief of Staff to the President (Office of the Vice President), Senator Ibrahim Hadejia; Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu; Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim; Minister of Solid Mineral Development, Dele Alake; Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Jimoh Ibrahim, and other senior government and diplomatic officials.
During the General Debate, the VP is expected to deliver Nigeria’s national statement, outlining the country’s position on major international issues and priorities with direct implications for peace and security, development, economic growth and global cooperation.
Shettima will also participate in high-level meetings and hold bilateral engagements with world leaders, international organisations, and development partners on the sidelines of the General Assembly.
Nigeria is expected to use the engagements to reinforce its positions on reform of international financial architecture, sustainable development, climate finance, technology access, and stronger representation for Africa in global decision-making.