Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian took to the podium at the United Nations General Assembly to deliver a steely message to Washington, asserting that his country will never bow our head or bend the knee in the face of mounting economic pressure and military aggression. His address marked his first appearance at the international body since the United States attacked the Islamic republic. During his speech, the Iranian leader held up a photograph of the former supreme leader of Iran Ali Khamenei, whom he accused Washington of “terrorism” for assassinating at the start of the war.
Masoud Pezeshkian Address at the United Nations General Assembly
US Delegation Walkout During the Speech
The US delegation walked out at the start of President Pezeshkian’s speech. The US mission to the UN did not immediately respond to a request for comment. President Pezeshkian said that Iran has never started a war, stating, Iran has never ever been an aggressor, has never started a war and has always shown her commitment to the negotiating table. They imposed the war on us, but we proved that we're not afraid of fighting.
Strait of Hormuz Demands and Stalled Negotiations
President Pezeshkian addressed the strategic waterway that has served as a central flashpoint since the conflict began, insisting that Tehran cannot let some have free access and bolster their interests from the waterway, while at the same time using that waterway to impose their aggression upon us. The Strait of Hormuz, conduit for a fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas before the war, has been choked off or intermittently blockaded since the start of the war, causing global energy prices to spike. Soaring fuel prices threaten to cost Trump’s Republicans their control of Congress in November’s midterms.
Donald Trump Remarks and Indirect Talks in New York
The speech followed remarks from US President Donald Trump, who told the UN General Assembly on Tuesday that he faced a “big decision– either negotiate a deal that would allow Iranians to rebuild their country, or
annihilate the Islamic Republic and do it quickly”. While Trump hailed renewed talks between Tehran and Washington’s negotiators, Pezeshkian made no reference to the talks to resolve the stalled war in his steely speech. On Tuesday, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and US envoy Steve Witkoff held indirect talks brokered by Qatari mediators on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York. Witkoff said he hoped the discussions – the first since June – would prove constructive and promising
, adding that the mediators would continue their work.
Nuclear Stance and Diplomatic Hurdles
Despite the ongoing hostilities, President Pezeshkian maintained that Tehran remains open to diplomatic channels, stating that they are ready for dialogue and diplomacy and negotiations without accepting the language of force, and that Iran believes in diplomacy to try to end the conflict. Pezeshkian made clear that the US blockade would have to end as part of any deal. He also reiterated that Iran would not give up its right to have a civilian nuclear programme and that it would not seek to develop nuclear weapons, stating clearly: no nuclear weapons and no limitations on peaceful nuclear technology.
Trump argued in his speech that the war had prevented Iran from obtaining a nuclear bomb and demanded that its leaders relinquish their nuclear ambitions
.
Logistical hurdles also marked the diplomatic summit in the heart of Manhattan. President Pezeshkian’s attendance at the UN’s signature diplomatic event had been in doubt as it was unclear if the United States would issue a visa. Ultimately Washington granted the permit, but denied visas to several members of Pezeshkian’s entourage.