Trump discusses potential annihilation of Iran in Time magazine interview

NEW YORK, October 1. /TASS/. The US may destroy Iran since it is impossible to make peace with Tehran, President Donald Trump told the Time magazine.

During the interview, the journalist recalled that the US had stated the previous week that he could "annihilate" Iran. "Yes, I would do that. It's possible," Trump confirmed.

The journalist then pointed out that the president had made similar threats in the past, while at the same time calling himself the "president of peace." Trump agreed with this statement. When asked to clarify how a "president of peace" could call for "the annihilation of an entire people," the US president replied that "by annihilating Iran, we've created peace in the world." "With Iran, I don't think you could ever have peace," he added.

Earlier, while speaking at the UN General Assembly, Trump emphasized that striking a deal with Iran would bring prosperity to the country and that the alternative would be its "annihilation." In response to the US leader’s remarks, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi noted that Iran does not accept coercion or threats. According to him, Tehran will not relinquish its sovereign rights, despite the pressure.

The US and Israel began a war with Iran on February 28. In June, Washington and Tehran signed a memorandum of understanding calling for an immediate cessation of hostilities on all fronts, including in Lebanon. However, in the early morning hours of July 8, the US resumed large-scale strikes against Iran, accusing it of violating the terms of the agreements reached on the Strait of Hormuz.