Iran’s president vows to ‘firmly defend’ country’s positions at UN

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian is set to address the UN General Assembly during his visit to New York, vowing to firmly defend his country's positions, according to state television footage. "We emerged with our heads held high, and this is a source of dignity and pride for all of us," he stated before departing for the United Nations meeting.

Pezeshkian intends to utilize the opportunity to present Iran's situation to the global community, emphasizing that despite the unfairness and injustices, the Iranian people have persevered. As the highest-ranking Iranian official to visit the United States since the Middle East war began in late February, Pezeshkian's trip has been met with restrictions by the US, though the UN visits for part of the Iranian delegation have been approved.

The Iranian presidential communications team, however, has not been granted visas, leading to accusations of a hostile stance from Iranian presidential spokesman Habibollah Abbassi. The conflict between Iran and the US centers on the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a vital maritime route that has been disrupted since the war started.

Iran has been firing on commercial ships and demanding permission for passage, leading the US to maintain a counterblockade and increase economic pressure on Iran.