Trump threatens to 'annihilate' Iran in UN speech as officials from both countries meet on sidelines

President Donald Trump has told the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) he faces a "big decision" on whether to strike Iran again or pursue a peace deal.

Before a standing-room-only audience, Trump also rejected "global government", vowed to broker peace between Russia and Ukraine and ensure the US wins the artificial intelligence race.

Trump himself has been meeting more than a dozen world leaders as wars in the Middle East and Ukraine test his foreign policy agenda.

He spent much of his address justifying the war with Iran, which has spiked global oil prices while dragging down his approval ratings since the US and Israel launched the military action in February.

Trump also signed a deal with Denmark to beef up US military presence on Greenland

The US president argued that the conflict had prevented Tehran from obtaining a nuclear weapon and demonstrated the value of what he described as peace through strength - ultimatums rather than deal-making or compromise.

"Or do I annihilate the Islamic Republic and do it quickly, never giving them a chance to kill and destroy people and countries again? Do I drive them into hell?"

The remarks were indicative of his foreign-policy strategy of coercive diplomacy - threatening overwhelming force while keeping negotiations open.

Iran state TV confirmed that Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi had met US Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff.

The BBC asked Witkoff how the meetings had gone as he was leaving the UN building and he responded with a thumbs up. Witkoff later confirmed on X that the talks had been held "through the mediators, who shuttled between the two sides throughout the day".

In his speech, Trump once again predicted his diplomacy would end Russia's war in Ukraine, which has shown little sign of letting up as the two sides trade tit-for-tat missile and drone strikes deep into each other's territory.