Iran's President Denies Targeting Israeli Civilians at UN, Cites Self-Defense

Iranian President Massoud Pezeshkian stated at the United Nations General Assembly on Wednesday that Iran did not target Israeli civilians during its conflict with Israel. "We did not target civilians in Israel," he declared from the podium. Pezeshkian accused Israel of killing Iran's supreme guide "without reason or justification" and blamed both Israel and the United States for provoking the war, framing Tehran's actions as defensive responses to attacks against the Islamic Republic.

During his address, the Iranian president also addressed his country's nuclear program, reiterating that Tehran is not seeking to develop nuclear weapons. "Iran has never sought and will never seek to manufacture an atomic bomb," he asserted. However, he rejected demands that would prevent Iran from enriching uranium for civilian purposes, a key point of contention in negotiations with the United States.

Pezeshkian's remarks come amid heightened tensions between Tehran and Washington. Recent statements from Donald Trump indicated ongoing discussions with Iran and the possibility of an agreement. Conversely, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio noted that significant work would be required for any deal, also reminding that the U.S. president retains military options.