Iran’s Pezeshkian hits back at Trump at UN

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian addressed the United Nations General Assembly, condemning the United States for terrorism against his country. He displayed photographs of the late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and over 150 school children who lost their lives during the war. Pezeshkian stated that Iran's people were victims of cowardly attacks and aggressions and that they defended themselves with utmost strength.

He emphasized that America and Israel attacked Iran, and they did not bend the knee. Pezeshkian arrived in New York under heavy security and scrutiny, which is typical for a political figure in Iran's landscape. He will be addressing world leaders a day after U.S. President Donald Trump suggested he may annihilate the Islamic Republic if a deal isn't reached soon to end the ongoing war.

Trump met with Iranian officials, but the details of the discussions were not disclosed. Secretary of State Marco Rubio mentioned that Trump is open to meeting with Pezeshkian during his visit to New York. Tehran downplayed the unscheduled exchange, stating that the talks were not new and demanding that Washington end its blockade of Iranian ports and release frozen Iranian assets.

The talks were conducted indirectly through Qatari mediators. Pezeshkian's speech arrives as intermittent attacks continue in the Strait of Hormuz, where commercial shipping remains below prewar levels.