US ‘must choose’ whether to end war: Iran

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian stated that it is up to the United States to decide whether to end its war in Iran, as Tehran is not eager to continue fighting. At a UN General Assembly meeting in New York, Pezeshkian maintained a defiant stance against Washington, refusing to "bend at the knee." He expressed Iran's desire for resolution through dialogue, but emphasized that they do not wish to continue the conflict due to instigations from Israel.

Iran was prepared to reach an agreement with the Trump administration to put an end to the war, but questioned why the U.S. abandoned a shaky ceasefire after just two weeks.

During a meeting with US envoy Steve Witkoff and son-in-law Jared Kushner, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi discussed the talks with US officials. However, no breakthrough was made immediately. Pezeshkian asserted that the Yemeni Houthi militant movement, widely regarded as being backed by Iran, does not take orders from Tehran's government. He insisted that the Houthis are responsible for their own actions and that there is no systematic relationship between Iran and the group.

The US and its allies, including Saudi Arabia and the Yemeni government, accuse Iran of backing the Houthi movement that has been targeting Saudi Arabia and battling Riyadh-backed forces for control of Yemen. Pezeshkian denied these allegations, stating that the Houthis act independently based on imposed situations. Saudi Arabia intercepted Houthi ballistic missiles on Thursday and issued warnings for several regions, including Mecca.

The Houthis have imposed a naval blockade on Saudi Arabia, intercepting and seizing their tankers and territory, and seizing parts of Yemen's Red Sea coast, which is crucial for Saudi oil exports.