UN General Assembly 2018: Trump forced to pause amid laughter at claims he has ' ...

Trump calls Iran "world's leading sponsor of terrorism" Trump earlierturneddown meeting with Tehran US President was due on stage around 10am, he arrived at 10.15am What to expect from the US President's speech

Donald Trump was forced to pause his UN speech amid laughter at claims he has "accomplished almost more than any administration in the history of our country".

In an almost 40-minute address to the assembled United Nations General Assembly membersin New York, he reserved his most stinging remarks for Iran, who he described as the "world's leading sponsor of terrorism".

He also praised his team in Washington for its work surrounding the denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula and touched on some of the world's most devastating conflicts, including Syria, Iraq, Yemen and Venezuela.

Opening his speech, he said:"One year ago Istood before you at this grand hall.I addressed the threats facing our world and presented a vision for a brighter future.

"Today, I stand before the United Nations to share the extraordinaryprogress we've made.

"In less than twoyears, my administrationhas accomplished almost more than any administrationin the history of our country."

Laughter and applause filledthe room, forcing the President to pause, before continuing:"America...it's so true...I didn't expect that reaction, but OK."

Ahead of his address to the United Nations General Assembly, President Donald Trump has saidhe had no plans to meet with Iranian leader Hassan Rouhani at the gathering of world leaders"despite requests" to do so.

4:26PM

Trump doubles down on messages from 12 months ago

Trump has just wrapped up a 35-minute speech that was, well, very Trumpian, writes Harriet Alexander.

There were no real surprises - although he was somewhat taken aback by the laughter that greeted his claim to have achieved more than any other administration - and it followed the pattern set last year.

There was the recap of domestic success, the celebration of his North Korea tactics, and the defence of some of his more controversial decisions - reducing the refugee numbers to 30,000; withdrawing from the UN human rights council; pulling out of the Iran nuclear deal.

Of course, Iran came in for the strongest attack - he described the country as the world's biggest sponsor of terrorism, and called on other nations to back their economic warfare against Tehran.

Venezuela and Cuba also came in for a predictable kicking.

In essence, he was doubling down on the previous 12 months, in an unapologetic fashion. He did, however, manage to stick to the script, avoid rambling, and keep his cool.

His team will be pleased with that performance.

4:15PM

'Let us choose a future of patriotism'

Closing his speech, Mr Trump said:"In America we believe in the majesty of freedom, self-government and therule of law.

"A culture build on strong families, deepfaith and fierce independence. "e celebrate our heroesand above all we love our country

"Inside this great chamber and in all those listening around the globe, there is the heart of a patriot that feels the same powerful love to your nation, the same intense loyalty to your homelands.

"It has inspired reform and revolution, sacrifice and selflessness, scientificbreakthroughs and magnificent works of art.

"Our task is not to erase it, but to embrace it, to build with it, to draw on its ancient wisdom, and to find withinit a way tomake out nations greater and the world better.

"Together let us choose a future of patriotism

"Forever strong, forever sovereign, forever just and forever thankful for the grace and the goodness and the glory of God.

"Thank you, God bless you and God bless the nations of the world."

4:07PM

Trump to the world - 'Make your countries great again'

Having earlier talked about the ongoing building of the wall on the Mexican-US border, Mr Trump told the room that illegal immigration was behind the"flow of deadly drugs" in America.

"Ithurts hard-working citizens and has produced a vicious cycle of crime and poverty. Only by destroying criminal gangs can we establish a real foundation for prosperity."

The President called for every country to be in control of their own migration policies, stating that he respects each nation's decisions, "just as we ask every country to respect ours, which we are doing".

"Migration should not be governed by a national body which is unccountable by our own citizens.

"Make their countries great again."

4:02PM

Most stinging criticism reserved for Iran

As expected, the strongest words have come so far on Iran, writes Harriet Alexander .

Trump last year at this podium said the Iran nuclear deal was an embarrassment, adding: "The Iranian government masks a corrupt dictatorship behind the false guise of a democracy. It has turned a wealthy country with a rich history and culture into an economically depleted rogue state whose chief exports are violence, bloodshed, and chaos. The longest-suffering victims of Iran’s leaders are, in fact, its own people."

This year, it's more of the same - calling Iran the world's largest supporter of terrorism, and demanding that other nations back the US in its economic warfare.

Tomorrow Trump holds a UN Security Council meeting on Iran; definitely one to watch.

4:01PM

The ICC has 'no authority' in America, Trump says

"America will always act in my country's interest," Trump said.

He accused the International Criminal Court of "shielding human rights abuserswhile bashing the US".

"As far as America is concerned, the ICC has no authority. We will never surrender America to unelected," he said.

"America is governed by Americans," adding that herejects globalism.

3:59PM

Measured address so far from Trump

So far, so measured from Trump, writes Harriet Alexander .

He's opened with a defence of his domestic policies - unusual, but not for him - and then gone on to talk about his successes in North Korea, progress in the Middle East, and policy on refugees.

This is interesting; at the end of August the Trump administration announced it was ending financial backing for the UN refugee body supporting Palestinians, and on September 17 the US dismayed many by announcing it was slashing, once again, the number of refugees admitted.

In the 2018-19 fiscal year, beginning on Oct 1, only 30,000 refugees will be allowed.

This is down from 45,000 last year - already a historic low.

Under George W Bush, even after 9/11, 70,000 were permitted. And only 60 Syrian refugees have been allowed into the US this year.

He's