Iran President Blasts US, Israel at UN, Cites 'Terrorism' and 'War Crimes'

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi delivered a fiery address at the UN General Assembly, vehemently rejecting U.S. threats and accusing both the United States and Israel of committing acts of terrorism and war crimes. Raisi's speech, his first on the international stage since the outbreak of the "Operation Iron Sword" war in February, was met with a walkout by the U.S. delegation.

Raisi directly addressed President Donald Trump's characterization of Iran as a terrorist state, asserting that the Islamic Republic is the victim, not the aggressor. He cited the assassination of Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei on the first day of the war and accused Washington of responsibility for an airstrike on a school in Minab that morning, which Tehran claims killed over 175 girls. Raisi displayed photographs of Khamenei and the damaged school during his address.

He contrasted Iran's actions, which he claimed targeted only military objectives and were solely for self-defense, with alleged U.S. and Israeli attacks that resulted in numerous civilian casualties. Raisi also criticized the international community for a perceived double standard, pointing to Israel's undeclared nuclear arsenal while IAEA inspectors exclusively monitor Iran's nuclear program, which he described as solely for energy purposes.

Raisi stated that threats and sanctions would only strengthen the Iranian nation's resolve, emphasizing Iran's readiness for dialogue and diplomacy but rejection of the "language of force." He reiterated Iran's position that resolving the Palestinian issue is essential for regional peace, calling the situation in Palestine an "open wound" demonstrating the failure of international mechanisms.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio strongly refuted Raisi's claims, stating that a nation that kills tens of thousands of its own citizens and consistently funds regional terror groups is not in a position to lecture on human rights. Rubio reiterated the U.S. stance on Iran's nuclear program, deeming independent enrichment facilities controlled by a global terror financier an unacceptable threat.