Iran President Addresses UN, Seeks Nuclear Energy, Not Bomb

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani addressed the UN General Assembly in New York on Wednesday, stating that Iran requires nuclear energy, not a nuclear bomb, and will not yield to military aggression, emphasizing a belief in diplomacy. Rouhani asserted that Iran would present the "crimes committed against the Iranian people" at the UN, arguing that the enemy's military failures led them to block air and land routes, fearing exposure of their wrongdoings.

Earlier, Iran announced its representatives held talks with the United States via a Qatari mediator at the UN, conveying conditions for a ceasefire. These demands, according to Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Ismail Baqaei, include ending wars on all fronts, halting "US acts of aggression," lifting the naval blockade and economic warfare against Iran, and releasing frozen Iranian assets.

This comes after U.S. President Donald Trump revealed a senior American official met with the Iranian delegation for three hours, describing it as a "good meeting" with another call scheduled. Trump stated Iran "used to be the bully of the Middle East. It is no longer," and declared a major decision regarding Iran was imminent, either a deal or destruction, predicting an agreement after the midterm elections.

Separately, a senior Iranian official claimed Tehran offered to reopen the Strait of Hormuz within a week if the U.S. eased military pressure, with the initiative reportedly approved by Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and National Security Council head Mohsen Rezaei. The official noted a meeting between Trump and Rouhani was not on the agenda but indicated progress toward a potential agreement.

Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened a security assessment meeting amid Israeli assessments that the Iranian front could soon escalate. A senior officer stated the military is preparing for scenarios including a significant Israeli response to missile attacks, a U.S.-backed war, or an independent Israeli operation in Iran.