MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- At the United Nations Tuesday, Sept. 22, President Trump escalated the rhetoric around the Iran war, openly discussing whether he should "annihilate" the country.

The president's comments came in a speech to the UN General Assembly.

It comes as US leaders are still working on a deal to end the war.

The comments sent shockwaves around the world, with the president of the United States openly considering wiping out another country.

The speech began with the president defending his decision to go to war with Iran, saying it was necessary to prevent Iran from developing nuclear capabilities.

Then about 10 minutes in, he told the assembled delegates he has a big decision to make.

"Will a deal be made with Iran that lets them rebuild and create a far greater country than it ever was before?"

He went on, "Or do I annihilate the Islamic Republic and do it quickly, never giving them a chance to kill and destroy people and countries again? Do I drive them into hell with no chance of survival and no hope of future greatness or generations?"

Complications from closing the Strait of Hormuz have led to soaring gas prices in Wisconsin and elsewhere, including record-high diesel prices that are threatening to impact the cost of goods up and down the supply chain.

Both gubernatorial candidates David Crowley and Tom Tiffany have focused on affordability and gas prices on the campaign trail.

Both spoke Tuesday at the Wisconsin Counties Association annual conference in Wisconsin Dells.

Tiffany said, "I’ve been saying for months that it’s time to wrap things up in Iran. They’ve largely been degraded military and their nuclear capability. And it’s time for us to come back home and make sure that we take care of things here in Wisconsin."

Tiffany is one of a growing list of congressional Republicans distancing themselves from the president's war.

Three Republican representatives in Iowa are calling for the war to end, as is a Republican Senate nominee in Michigan.

But Crowley hit back at Tiffany's comments, blaming him for not voting to end the war when given the chance.

In response to questions, Crowley wrote in a statement, "I’ve been extremely clear from the start: this is a war-of-choice with Iran and two-faced Tom is only walking back his support because he’s worried he’ll lose an election, not because he regrets the pain he’s caused."

The president indicated his administration was meeting with the Iranian delegation while at the UN.

The president predicted an agreement will come after the midterm elections Nov. 3.

Next week marks seven months since the war began.