Iran, Cuba delegation walks out during Trump's UN speech
The US agreed to grant entry visas to Iran’s president and foreign minister for the UNGA meeting, while denying them to the Palestinian Authority president and his delegation.
US President Donald Trump began detailing six months of intermittent military strikes against Iran yesterday (22 September), prompting members of the Iranian delegation to walk out, while the Cuban delegation also left after he criticised Cuba's communist government.
A single lower-level diplomat remained in the plenum for the entirety of Trump's remarks.
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Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi are in New York for the annual UN meeting but did not attend Trump's speech in the General Assembly hall.
They left about 10 minutes into his address.
The US agreed to grant entry visas to Iran's president and foreign minister for the UNGA meeting, while denying them to the Palestinian Authority president and his delegation.
US President Donald Trump used his UN General Assembly speech today to defend the war with Iran, saying it prevented Tehran from obtaining a nuclear weapon and warning he could "annihilate the Islamic Republic" if no deal is reached.
Trump called on other nations to economically isolate Iran to force it to negotiate, while predicting a deal could be reached after the 3 November US midterm elections.
Iran has consistently denied seeking to develop nuclear weapons. Trump also defended the February US-Israeli strikes, citing Iran's nuclear programme, support for regional proxy groups and the prospect of regime change.
President Donald Trump said Cuba was a failed state and freedom would come to the island nation, escalating tensions with the Communist-run government.
"My administration is also seeking a fundamental change in the situation in Cuba," Trump said, adding that the communist regime was under its greatest pressure yet and "will fall".
The Cuban delegation walked out of the UN General Assembly during his remarks. Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel later said Cuba would defend its sovereignty and accused Trump of portraying the country as a threat to justify harsh treatment.
The US has maintained a trade embargo on Cuba for more than 60 years, while Trump's administration has increased pressure on the country.
