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Wednesday 26 September 2018 - 04:26

In his UN address, Trump urges world to isolate Iran

Story Code : 752225
US President Donald Trump addresses the 73rd session of the General Assembly at the United Nations in New York, September 25, 2018.
US President Donald Trump addresses the 73rd session of the General Assembly at the United Nations in New York, September 25, 2018.

Trump used a large portion of his address to the 73rd session of the General Assembly on Tuesday ranting against Iran, accusing it of  sponsoring terrorism and sowing "chaos, death and destruction," in the Middle East.

"We ask all nations to isolate Iran's regime as long as its aggression continues," he continued. "They do not respect their neighbors or borders or the sovereign rights of nations."

He condemned “the horrible 2015 nuclear deal” between Iran and six world powers and called on other countries to completely isolate the Islamic Republic.

The US president said more sanctions will follow after the resumption of oil sanctions on Iran on November 5.

UN audience laughs at Trump  
The US president opened his speech by touting his domestic policies, including tax cuts and his push to build a wall along the US-Mexico border, before addressing his foreign policy priorities.

Trump boasted that his administration had accomplished "more than almost any" other in US history. The remark drew laughter from the audience of world leaders.

The audience then again began chuckling when Trump said "so true." Trump paused, and then responded: "I didn't expect that reaction but that's OK."

Trump slams OPEC, calls for lower prices
Meanwhile, Trump charged members of the OPEC oil cartel with "ripping off" the world and called for a lowering of fuel prices.

"The United States stands ready to export our abundant affordable supply of oil, clean coal, and natural gas," Trump told the General Assembly.

"OPEC and OPEC nations are, as usual, ripping off the rest of the world, and I don't like it. Nobody should like it," he said. 

ICC has 'no legitimacy'
Trump also said the International Criminal Court lacks any legitimacy, saying it violated "all principles of justice."

"As far as America is concerned, the ICC has no jurisdiction, no legitimacy, and no authority," Trump said of the global court.

"The ICC claims near-universal jurisdiction over the citizens of every country, violating all principles of justice, fairness, and due process. We will never surrender America's sovereignty to an unelected, unaccountable global bureaucracy."

Only ‘our friends’ will get aid
Trump said his administration is "taking a hard look" at the foreign aid it provides to other countries and international organizations, saying only “our friends" will be given financial support.

"Moving forward we are only going to give foreign aid to those who respect us and frankly our — our friends. And we expect other countries to pay their fair share for the cost of their defense."

Trump also vowed to change how the US funds the UN’s various programs and where US dollars are spent. "Only when each of us does our part and contributes our share can we realize the UN's highest aspirations."

Trump praises Kim but says sanctions must stay 
Trump praised North Korean leader Kim Jong-un for taking some steps to disarmament, but said sanctions must remain in place on the country until it give up nuclear weapons program.

“The missiles and rockets are no longer flying in every direction, nuclear testing has stopped, some military facilities are already being dismantled,” Trump said.

“I would like to thank Chairman Kim for his courage and for the steps he has taken, though much work remains to be done,” Trump said. “The sanctions will stay in place until denuclearization occurs.”

In his first address to the UN General Assembly last year, Trump had  threatened to “totally destroy” North Korea and mocked its leader as “Rocket Man” on a “suicide mission.”
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