Trump accuses Iran of sowing chaos

US President Donald Trump has attacked the Iranian leadership, accusing it of sowing “chaos, death and destruction” across the Middle East.

Addressing the United Nations General Assembly in New York, he defended his decision to abandon the nuclear deal.

Mr Trump also boasted that his administration had accomplished “more than almost any” other in US history.

His words were greeted with laughter, but he laughed back, saying: “Didn’t expect that reaction.”

Trump starts with a state of the union at UNGA. Laughs from the audience when he boasts that his administration has achieved more than almost any other in US history. “I didn’t expect that reaction.” he says, chuckling himself. A clip that will enter the UN annals #UNGA

— Nick Bryant (@NickBryantNY) September 25, 2018

The United States was stronger, richer and safer, Mr Trump insisted.

He also defended his administration’s nurturing of better ties with North Korea and its hard line on trade with China.

One of his key themes, however, was the right of America to pursue its own path in the world.

“I honour the right of every nation in this room to pursue its own customs, beliefs and traditions,” he said.

“The United States will not tell you how to live or work or worship. We only ask that you honour our sovereignty in return.”

By contrast, French President Emmanuel Macron argued passionately in favour of multilateralism.

What exactly did Trump say about Iran?

“Iran’s leaders sow chaos, death and destruction,” he said.

“They do not respect their neighbours or borders or the sovereign rights of nations. Instead, Iran’s leaders plunder the nation’s resources to enrich themselves and spread mayhem across the Middle East and far beyond.”

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani responded by criticising the Trump administration for its hostility towards Iran while urging the US to return to negotiations.

Mr Rouhani said dialogue should begin by ending threats and what he called “unjust sanctions”, adding that no nation could be brought to the negotiating table by force.

“The United States’ understanding of international relations is authoritarian. In its estimation might makes right. Its understanding of power, not of legal and legitimate authority, is reflected in bullying and imposition,” he said in New York.

In August, the US reinstated sanctions targeting the Iranian government’s purchase of US dollars, Iran’s trade in gold and other precious metals, and its automotive sector.

In November, a second batch of potentially more damaging sanctions will be reimposed on Iran’s oil and shipping sectors as well as its central bank.

Iran has accused Mr Trump of waging “psychological warfare” against it. and denies any involvement in terrorism. It insists its nuclear programme is entirely peaceful.

Remaining members in the nuclear deal – the UK, China, France, Germany and Russia – say they will set up a new payment system to maintain business with Iran and bypass US sanctions.

The system would facilitate oil companies and businesses to continue trading without relying on the US-led global market and dollar, but exactly how the system would work is still being determined.