[Anchor]
A subtle shift in current is being detected in U.S. President Donald Trump's approach to the Middle East. While ratcheting up military threats against Iran—even mentioning total obliteration—he nevertheless approved a visa for the Iranian president to attend the United Nations General Assembly.
Correspondent Jeon Byeong-nam reports from Washington.
[Reporter]
On the 17th local time, President Trump stated, "We are at a critical crossroads where we must decide whether to resume large-scale strikes to end the war with Iran." He added, "I am considering obliterating the regime, and anything can happen."
At the same time, he repeatedly emphasized that Iran is in direct contact with the United States and still wants to reach a deal.
[Donald Trump / U.S. President (local time, 16th): They (Iran) want it very badly. Iran wants a deal very badly. We'll see how it plays out.]
He also explained that he plans to meet with leaders of the six Gulf Cooperation Council nations, including Saudi Arabia, to listen to their views during the UN General Assembly in New York on the 22nd.
However, Trump did not specify whether the "major decision" he mentioned would be made before or after the midterms in November.
Meanwhile, entry visas for the Iranian delegation to attend the UN General Assembly in New York—which had been widely expected to be denied—were issued.
This means Iranian President Pezeshkian and Foreign Minister Araghchi, whose country is effectively at war with the United States, will be able to travel to New York on the 22nd.
There is speculation that Trump might hold a direct meeting with Pezeshkian, who is considered a moderate within Iran.
Next week, a U.S.-China summit will also take place.
Chinese President Xi Jinping is scheduled to be greeted directly at the airport by President Trump on the 23rd local time.
This marks the first time since the launch of the second Trump administration that he has personally welcomed a foreign leader at the airport, which is seen as an effort to woo Beijing for a successful summit outcome.
Ahead of this, U.S. Secretary of State Rubio and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi held a phone call and "exchanged views on the situation in the Middle East and other issues." Wang Yi stated that "positive news should be produced to promote world peace and development."
With the United States bogged down in the quagmire of war ahead of the midterm elections, and Iran suffering from severe economic hardship due to sanctions and isolation, attention is focused on whether a breakthrough can be forged through next week's series of meetings.
(Camera: Eunha Park | Video Editing: Chunbae Park | Design: Yeji Kim)
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