Iran's President Accuses US, Israel at UN Amid Sanctions

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian used his address at the UN General Assembly in New York to criticize the United States and Israel, directly responding to remarks made by Donald Trump the previous day. Pezeshkian stated that threats only unite the Iranian nation and that his country will not yield to military pressure. The US delegation walked out of the hall in protest as he began his speech.

Pezeshkian addressed Trump's assertion that Iran is a terrorist state, countering that Iran has been a victim of terror. He cited the killing of Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei at the start of the war and accused the US of bombing a school in Minab, claiming over 175 girls were killed, presenting photos as evidence. He asserted Iran acted solely in self-defense, did not harm civilians, and is not a terrorist state.

He questioned the credibility of nations claiming to protect stability while acting against Iran, labeling them as those who commit terror and crimes, not peacekeepers. Pezeshkian reiterated Tehran's stance that its nuclear program is for energy purposes, not weapons, and questioned why international scrutiny focuses on Iran while Israel possesses undeclared nuclear weapons. "Israel kills, and Iran is the one facing sanctions, this is double morality," he declared.

Pezeshkian emphasized that Iran is strengthening its military for defense but believes military power alone cannot solve issues, stating peace will not come from the battlefield and that Iran believes in diplomacy. He warned against pressure through threats, repeating that threats only unite the Iranian nation.

His remarks followed Trump's speech, where Trump presented Iran with a choice between "destroying the Islamic Republic" or helping it become a major regional power. Trump also expressed belief that the US and Iran would reach an agreement after US midterm elections in November. Meanwhile, US and Iranian representatives held a three-hour meeting on the sidelines of the assembly to advance a peace agreement, described as "very good and very productive" by Trump and "encouraging, constructive, and successful" by his envoy. Iran, however, stated contacts were indirect and Qatar-mediated, with Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi leading their delegation.

Pezeshkian's speech came after a report of a ship being hit by an "unknown weapon" in the Strait of Hormuz, causing a fire and requiring crew evacuation, with no reported casualties. This was the first incident in the strait in two days. Iran had previously blocked the strait at the war's outset to pressure global oil markets and the US/Israel, leading to a US blockade of Iranian oil exports.