Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian delivered a defiant address to the United Nations General Assembly on Wednesday, marking the first time a leader of a country at war with the United States has spoken before the world body. His remarks followed a speech by U.S. President Donald Trump, who threatened to annihilate the Islamic Republic and drive it into hell if a deal is not reached soon. Pezeshkian stated that he had planned different remarks before hearing Trump’s address.
During his speech, Pezeshkian accused the United States and Israel of terrorism and bullying, specifically citing the assassination of former supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. He displayed images of Iranian civilians killed in U.S. strikes to demonstrate the impact of military actions. The U.S. delegation walked out of the hall as Pezeshkian condemned the U.S. and Israel for causing global instability. He vowed that Tehran would not bend the knee to American intimidation nor surrender its civilian nuclear program.
While maintaining a defiant tone, Pezeshkian stated that Iran remains ready for dialogue and diplomacy, provided it occurs without the language of force. On the sidelines of the assembly, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner communicated through mediators. Although President Trump described a meeting as very good, Iranian officials downplayed the talks as nothing new. Meanwhile, Iran's Armed Forces dismissed Trump's threats as propaganda, stating they stand ready to inflict further blows on the aggressors.