Iran and Cuba delegations walk out during Trump UN speech

The Iranian and Cuban delegations walked out of the United Nations General Assembly hall in New York on Tuesday during a speech by US President Donald Trump, after he issued direct threats to both governments in his 37-minute address. The Iranian delegation exited when Trump began speaking about Iran, while the Cuban delegation left as he turned to Cuba.

While discussing Iran, Trump said he faced a choice in dealing with the Islamic Republic: either reach an agreement or "obliterate the Islamic Republic," threatening to "wipe out" the Iranian regime if no deal was reached to end the conflict.

He also stated that he expected a possible agreement with Tehran after the US midterm elections scheduled for November 3, but at the same time urged other countries to join the United States in economically isolating Iran to pressure it into negotiations.

Footage showed members of the Iranian delegation leaving the hall during Trump's speech, while a lower-level staff member remained. This came as the US president defended his stance on Iran, saying it had prevented Tehran from acquiring a nuclear weapon.

Trump then shifted to Cuba, describing it as a "completely failed state" and said the Cuban government "will fall." Members of the Cuban delegation left the General Assembly hall as he spoke about the country. He also said that US Secretary of State Marco Rubio was leading American efforts to bring about "fundamental change" in Cuba.

The walkouts by the two delegations coincided with a speech in which Trump focused on his policies toward Iran and Cuba, as well as other international issues, during the 81st session of the UN General Assembly in New York.