Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian defended Tehran's conduct in its war with the United States during a fiery address before world leaders at the United Nations General Assembly, taking direct aim at President Donald Trump and vowing that Iran would not surrender.
The speech followed months of fighting, failed diplomatic efforts and mounting international pressure on Tehran, giving Pezeshkian a high-profile platform to challenge the U.S. account of the conflict. «America and Israel attacked us, equipped with the latest technology and weapons systems, and our people stood steadfast. Yes, they did hit us, but we did not bend the knee. We did not bow our head,» Pezeshkian said. «Those who are terrorists and train and protect terrorists describe us as such. We have only defended ourselves. We are not terrorists.»
Pezeshkian's remarks drew a hostile reception in New York City, where protesters gathered outside the United Nations to denounce the Iranian government. Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani joined a «Free Iran» rally, where demonstrators waved Iranian flags and denounced Tehran over its repression of political dissent, restrictions on women's rights and treatment of opposition figures. Audible boos erupted from the crowd as the emcee announced Pezeshkian's impending speech. A member of the U.S. delegation walked out of the General Assembly hall after Pezeshkian began criticizing the United States.
During his address, Pezeshkian held up props showing photos of the late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and Iranian schoolchildren killed during the beginning of the conflict. «Our innocent people have been the targets of cowardly attacks and aggressions imposed upon our country. And we defended ourselves with utmost strength. America and Israel attacked us,» he said. He also accused the United States of targeting a sports hall with multiple-warhead weapons, saying, «They martyred, assassinated our scientists, our men, women and children.» He added, «This is what the United States seeks to do with all countries — to sacrifice the population of a country in order to achieve its goals.»
CENTCOM has denied that U.S. forces carried out the strike on the sports hall in Lamerd, stating that American forces did not strike the city or anywhere within 30 miles of it on the opening day of Operation Epic Fury.
Pezeshkian said the United States and Israel have learned that Iran cannot be made to surrender, reiterating that Iran is «not afraid of fighting» and would defend the country «until our last breath.» He also took shots at Trump, accusing him of «bullying» Iran. «More must be understood by Mr. Trump and those who seek to bully us, that we are ready for dialog and diplomacy and negotiations without accepting the language of force,» Pezeshkian said.
Trump addressed leaders on Tuesday and said he faced a «big decision» between reaching a deal with Iran or, in his words, «annihilat[ing] the Islamic Republic,» before U.S. officials later met with Iranian officials. Pezeshkian responded by saying that «everything uttered about our country was against the very essence and charter in the spirit of the United Nations.» He added, «He must know that the resistance of the Iranian people will increase in the face of sanctions, and increased bullying, because all of us under law will never bow our head or bend at the knee.»
Administration officials quickly pushed back on Pezeshkian's attacks and disputed his account of the conflict. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said, «I think sponsoring terrorist organizations in the region to attack your neighbors, attack energy infrastructure, attack civilian sites is a violation of the UN system. So I don't know what's standing. Iran has to lecture anyone on human rights or the international system. When they habitually violate it.» Rubio added that Iran has no credibility defending the international order because its regime has repeatedly violated it.
White House deputy press secretary Anna Kelly told Fox News Digital, «The Iranian regime has murdered thousands of its own people, killed Americans overseas, executed acts of terrorism in the Strait of Hormuz, and launched indiscriminate attacks against its neighbors in the region.» She added, «The President is courageously ensuring that such an evil country never possesses a nuclear weapon, which will make the entire world safer and more stable.»