Trump, Erdogan Leave UN Assembly After Iran Talks and Gaza Plea
Trump and Erdogan wrapped up their UN General Assembly appearances, with Trump revealing US-Iran talks and Erdogan pressing for Palestinian statehood.
President Donald Trump and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan left the United Nations headquarters on Tuesday after addressing the General Assembly and holding a series of sideline meetings.
Trump told reporters that US and Iranian officials had also met that day, shortly after he used his speech to warn that Iran would be "annihilated" if a deal to end the nearly seven-month war was not reached soon. He gave few details about the meeting.
In his address, Trump defended his decision to launch the war with Iran and accused Tehran of stalling on an agreement to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and negotiate an end to the conflict until after the US midterm elections.
The Middle East dominated the gathering, as continuing wars in Iran, Yemen, Gaza and Lebanon shaped the agenda.
Erdogan called the US decision to deny Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas a visa to attend the General Assembly an "injustice" and urged all UN members to recognise Palestinian statehood. He described Gaza as "the world's largest graveyard for children" and "the most shameful concentration camp of our time."
Both leaders were seen leaving the building after their appearances, with Trump pausing briefly to speak to the press.