NEW YORK — US President Donald Trump, in his debut address to the United Nations today, lumped Iran in with North Korea as a “rogue regime.” His call for the world to shun Iran clashed sharply with other parts of his speech, where he repeatedly focused on sovereignty and made no mention of the repression of autocratic US allies such as Saudi Arabia.

“The entire world understands that the good people of Iran want change, and, other than the vast military power of the United States, that Iran's people are what their leaders fear the most,” Trump said. “This is what causes the regime to restrict internet access, tear down satellite dishes, shoot unarmed student protesters and imprison political reformers.”

In a lengthy speech that sought to reconcile his nationalistic “America First” credo with international cooperation symbolized by the UN, Trump said the United States did not seek to impose its system of government on other countries.

“In America, we do not seek to impose our way of life on anyone, but rather to let it shine as an example for everyone to watch,” Trump said, describing his foreign policy approach as "principled realism."