The Latest: Iran leader tells UN that US losing credibility
By Associated Press
Sep 20, 2017 11:27 AM CDT
U.S. Vice President Mike Pence goes over his speech with U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley before delivering it during a high level Security Council meeting on United Nations peacekeeping operations, Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2017 at U.N. headquarters. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)   (Associated Press)

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The Latest on the U.N. General Assembly (all times local):

12:27 p.m.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani says his country won't be the first to violate the nuclear agreement with six world powers, "but it will respond decisively to its violation by any party."

In remarks clearly directed at U.S. President Donald Trump, he told the U.N. General Assembly on Wednesday that "it will be a great pity if this agreement were to be destroyed by rogue newcomers to the world of politics."

Rouhani said "the world will have lost a great opportunity, but such unfortunate behavior will never impede Iran's course of progress and advancement."

He said that "by violating its international commitments, the new U.S. administration only destroys its own credibility and undermines international confidence in negotiating with it or accepting its word or promise."

Iran has accused the Trump administration of not living up to its requirements on sanctions relief under the nuclear deal.

___

11:53 a.m.

U.S. Vice President Mike Pence is warning that violence against Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar that has triggered a massive refugee exodus will "sow seeds of hatred" that could consume the region and threaten global peace.

Pence issued the warning at the U.N. Security Council on Wednesday. He urged Myanmar security forces "to end their violence immediately and support diplomatic efforts for a long-term solution."

More than 400,000 Rohingya have fled to Bangladesh since Aug. 25 when attacks on security forces by Rohingya insurgents prompted a military crackdown and reprisals by majority Buddhists against the minority group.

The council was discussing peacekeeping operations. Pence urged the council to take "strong and swift action" and "to give hope and help to the Rohingya people in their hour of need," without specifying what kind of action he was seeking.

___

8:54 a.m.

Countries have started signing on to the first treaty to ban nuclear weapons that is backed by over 100 nations. But the nuclear powers want no part of it.

Brazilian President Michel Temer was first to sign at a ceremony Wednesday at the United Nations. Its treaty office said 51 countries were expected to sign on the opening day.

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres calls the pact "an important step towards the universally held goal of a world free of nuclear weapons."

More than 120 countries approved the treaty in July over opposition from nuclear-armed countries and their allies. They boycotted negotiations.

Supporters of the pact say it's time to push harder toward eliminating atomic weapons than nations have done through the nearly 50-year-old Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.

Nuclear powers say a ban won't work.

___

8:30 a.m.

The first treaty to ban nuclear weapons is ready for countries to sign at the United Nations. It's backed by over 100 countries, but nuclear-armed nations want no part of it.

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres opened a signing ceremony Wednesday. He called the pact "an important step towards the universally-held goal of a world free of nuclear weapons."

More than 120 countries approved the treaty in July over strong opposition from nuclear-armed countries and their allies. They boycotted negotiations.

Supporters of the pact say it's time to push harder toward eliminating atomic weapons than nations have done through the nearly 50-year-old Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.

But nuclear powers say a ban won't work. French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said Monday it can only weaken the nonproliferation treaty.

See 7 more photos