Trump warns U.N. he might ‘annihilate’ Iran as war overshadows diplomacy

illuminem summarises for you the essential news of the day, reviewed by our editorial team. Read the full piece on The Washington Post or enjoy below:

🗞️ Driving the news: President Donald Trump warned at the UN General Assembly that he could “annihilate” Iran if no peace deal is reached, while also saying US and Iranian representatives held three hours of talks on Tuesday
• Trump reiterated that Iran must not obtain a nuclear weapon and suggested a deal could come after the November midterm elections

🔭 The context: The remarks came as the nearly seven-month US-Iran conflict continues to disrupt energy markets and diplomacy
• At the same time, Trump met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and other leaders, while the White House prepared for a forthcoming meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: The conflict has already contributed to volatility in oil markets and disruption around major energy infrastructure and shipping routes
• Prolonged instability could complicate energy security and the global transition away from fossil fuels

⏭️ What’s next: US-Iran diplomatic contacts will be closely watched after Tuesday’s talks, while Trump has indicated that further decisions could follow if negotiations fail
• The UN gathering also shifts attention toward Ukraine and wider geopolitical issues, including the upcoming US-China summit

💬 One quote: “I have a big decision to make,” Trump said at the UN, referring to whether to pursue a deal with Iran or “annihilate the Islamic Republic.”

📈 One stat: The first known face-to-face US-Iran talks in months lasted for 3 hours, held on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly

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