Iran President Accuses US of Terrorism at UN, Signals Openness to Talks

Accusations of Bullying and Two Centuries of Peace

From the global stage, Pezeshkian characterized US President Donald Trump as a bully who had falsely branded Iranians as terrorists. Pointing to historical precedent, the Iranian president emphasized that his country had not initiated an armed conflict against any nation in 200 years.

Walkouts and High-Stakes UN Friction

The address instantly fractured the assembly hall, prompting a US delegate to walk out of the proceedings mere minutes into the speech. The diplomatic clash followed hard-line comments made a day earlier by President Trump, who asserted during UN engagements that the US could annihilate Iran if a formal agreement fails to materialize. Trump also noted that US Navy escorts are currently facilitating the movement of oil through the Strait of Hormuz at levels not seen since the war began, adding that American and Iranian officials recently held a lengthy meeting in New York—though Tehran officials subsequently downplayed the encounter.

Sanctions, Sovereignty, and the Strait of Hormuz

Despite fierce condemnation of American policy and crushing economic sanctions—which Pezeshkian stated directly harm the ill and poor—the Iranian president insisted that Tehran remains willing to engage in dialogue under appropriate conditions. He asserted that Iran seeks energy resources strictly for national progress rather than aggression, vowing that the nation will defend itself without seeking foreign permission. Pezeshkian also warned that any American or allied efforts to block the Strait of Hormuz or expand the scope of the war would inevitably spread the crisis across the wider Middle East.

School Strikes and War Crime Allegations

Pezeshkian’s address threw a harsh spotlight on the civilian toll of the ongoing hostilities. A UN fact-finding mission previously concluded there are reasonable grounds to determine that the United States committed war crimes during specific strikes, including an attack on a primary school.

Denying Civilian Targets and Condemning Gaza

During his address, Pezeshkian maintained that while Iran has actively responded to military actions, its forces have strictly avoided targeting civilian structures. He paired this defense with a sharp condemnation of Israeli military operations in Gaza, labeling them acts of terrorism.