Iran’s President Accuses U.S. of ‘Terrorism’ in U.N. Address
16 hours ago
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian accused the United States of “terrorism” Wednesday during a defiant address to the United Nations General Assembly, as the conflict between the two countries approaches the seven-month mark.
Pezeshkian told world leaders that Iranians have been “victims of terrorism” and maintained that his country has acted in self-defense during the conflict.
During his speech, Pezeshkian displayed photographs of the late Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and more than 150 Iranian schoolchildren killed during the opening days of the conflict. He accused the United States and Israel of attacking his country and said Iran had refused to surrender.
Pezeshkian also directly addressed President Donald Trump, saying Iran remains willing to pursue diplomacy and negotiations but would not accept what he characterized as negotiations conducted through force.
The Iranian president's remarks came one day after Trump addressed the General Assembly and defended U.S. military action against Iran. Trump said he is weighing whether an agreement can be reached with Tehran or whether the United States will dramatically escalate its military campaign.
Trump later said U.S. officials had met with Iranian representatives for roughly three hours on the sidelines of the U.N. gathering. Tehran described the discussions as indirect talks conducted through Qatari mediators and downplayed their significance.
Pezeshkian also claimed Iran had not targeted civilian populations during the conflict. The Associated Press noted that civilians, including mariners and migrant workers, have been killed in Iranian attacks, contradicting that assertion.
The address comes as fighting and disruptions continue around the Strait of Hormuz, with commercial shipping remaining below levels seen before the conflict. The Trump administration has continued pressing Iran to fully reopen the strategic waterway and return to negotiations.
Pezeshkian told world leaders that Iranians have been “victims of terrorism” and maintained that his country has acted in self-defense during the conflict.
During his speech, Pezeshkian displayed photographs of the late Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and more than 150 Iranian schoolchildren killed during the opening days of the conflict. He accused the United States and Israel of attacking his country and said Iran had refused to surrender.
Pezeshkian also directly addressed President Donald Trump, saying Iran remains willing to pursue diplomacy and negotiations but would not accept what he characterized as negotiations conducted through force.
The Iranian president's remarks came one day after Trump addressed the General Assembly and defended U.S. military action against Iran. Trump said he is weighing whether an agreement can be reached with Tehran or whether the United States will dramatically escalate its military campaign.
Trump later said U.S. officials had met with Iranian representatives for roughly three hours on the sidelines of the U.N. gathering. Tehran described the discussions as indirect talks conducted through Qatari mediators and downplayed their significance.
Pezeshkian also claimed Iran had not targeted civilian populations during the conflict. The Associated Press noted that civilians, including mariners and migrant workers, have been killed in Iranian attacks, contradicting that assertion.
The address comes as fighting and disruptions continue around the Strait of Hormuz, with commercial shipping remaining below levels seen before the conflict. The Trump administration has continued pressing Iran to fully reopen the strategic waterway and return to negotiations.
