Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian addressed the 81st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York on Wednesday (23 Sep), defending Iran’s position following its military confrontation with the United States and Israel and criticising what he described as international double standards on security, sanctions and nuclear issues.
Responding to accusations from the United States, Pezeshkian said: “We are not terrorists. We have only defended ourselves,” arguing that Iran had faced external attacks and had responded in self-defence.
He criticised Israel’s military operations in Gaza, saying: “Gaza remains a symbol of the failure of international mechanisms to prevent civilian suffering,” while calling for justice for Palestinians.
Pezeshkian defended Iran’s nuclear programme, stating: “Peaceful nuclear technology is part of our inherent progress,” and said Iran sought cooperation rather than confrontation.
In wider remarks, Pezeshkian said Iran wanted dialogue but would not accept negotiations under pressure. He argued that global security required equal standards and warned against a world where “military power replaces legitimacy, terrorism replaces politics and negotiations, and war replaces dialogue and diplomacy.”
He concluded by saying Iran remained open to diplomacy while maintaining its right to defend itself, stating: “We are ready for dialogue and diplomacy and negotiations without accepting the language of force.”
ℹ️ UN Web TV
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