Iran President: Nuclear Energy for Peace, Not Bombs; Gives US 5 Days on Strait of Hormuz
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian stated at the UN General Assembly that Iran needs nuclear energy for peaceful purposes and does not seek a nuclear bomb, emphasizing its role in national progress and rejecting its exclusivity for a few nations. He asserted that Tehran believes in diplomacy and will not yield to military pressure, highlighting Iran's commitment to its memorandum of understanding and its history of not initiating conflict, always favoring negotiations.
Pezeshkian added that despite facing war, Iran has demonstrated its willingness to defend itself, reiterating that its pursuit of nuclear energy is for advancement, not to threaten others with weapons. He declared that the Strait of Hormuz cannot be used to transport weapons against Iran, and that no party will be allowed free passage to conduct operations against his country. He stressed that escalating the conflict would not benefit anyone and that regional chaos is unacceptable, stating Iran builds its security through cooperation, not at others' expense, and seeks strong relations with its neighbors.
The president called for regional issues to be resolved internally, without external interference. He criticized the US and Israel for attacking Iran with advanced technology, noting that his people endured. Pezeshkian also called Trump's description of Iran as a terrorist state contradictory, given Iran's victimhood. He criticized perceived double standards, where Iran faces sanctions while Israel is allowed to kill, and pointed to the assassination of a supreme leader without legal process. The US delegation reportedly walked out during his speech.
In parallel, Iran's National Security Council Secretary Mohammad Bagheri announced a five-day ultimatum for the United States to meet Tehran's conditions before the Strait of Hormuz would be closed. He clarified that current discussions are solely to communicate these conditions to Washington and do not represent an open negotiation. Bagheri warned that a US rejection would permanently close the door to negotiations and keep the strait shut, asserting that control over Hormuz is Tehran's primary guarantee and that Washington must first demonstrate goodwill and build trust.
