Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian addressed the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly on September 23, 2026, in New York City. He stated that Iran will not give up its nuclear program despite potential military action or economic sanctions. Pezeshkian's speech came amid a pause in the war between Iran, the US, and Israel, which began in February. A 60-day ceasefire was established in April but broke down in July.
Pezeshkian emphasized that Iran is not afraid of war and will not back down. He responded to US President Donald Trump's statement that he was considering diplomacy or annihilating the Islamic Republic. The Iranian president highlighted the need for dialogue and diplomacy without the use of force. He also mentioned that US and Iranian officials held Qatari-mediated talks on the sidelines of the UNGA, with Iran setting clear conditions for a diplomatic resolution.
The conditions set by Iran include the lifting of the US naval blockade and sanctions, an end to the war, the release of Iranian frozen or restricted assets, and the acceptance of shipping routes determined by Iran and Oman. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that Iran can never have a nuclear weapon and that the US makes this point in every interaction. He warned that Iran would face either sanctions, military options, or both if it continues to sponsor regional proxies and global terror and pursue nuclear weapons.
Pezeshkian took issue with Trump's characterization of Iranians as terrorists and their actions as terror. He stated that the opposite is true and that Iran has been the victim of terrorism, citing the Israeli-US assassination of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in February. According to Reuters, the US delegation walked out of the room at the start of Pezeshkian's speech. The Iranian president also called the US missile strike on a primary school in Minab a terror attack.
Pezeshkian described Israel and the US as terrorist countries that targeted Iranian civilians. He stated that Iran's military actions were defensive and designed to deter other countries from attacking it. The Iranian president emphasized that his country's nuclear program is civilian and does not involve weapons. He also highlighted the double standard in the international community's approach to Iran's nuclear program compared to Israel's alleged possession of atomic weapons.
Pezeshkian accused Israel of having a double standard, with its nuclear program under no international supervision while Iran's is subject to inspection. He stated that access to the Strait of Hormuz would remain limited and free access would not be provided to aggressors against Iran. The Iranian president defended the rights of Palestinians to resist Israel, describing Israel as an occupying force on Palestinian land.
Pezeshkian concluded his speech by emphasizing that resistance will continue as long as occupation, aggression, and injustice persist in the world. He highlighted Palestinian suffering in Gaza and called for an end to the occupation. The speech reflects Iran's stance on its nuclear program and its position on regional and international issues.
Key points
- Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian vows not to bow to military action or sanctions over its nuclear program at the UNGA.
- The Iranian president sets clear conditions for a diplomatic resolution, including the lifting of US sanctions and an end to the war.
- Pezeshkian accuses Israel of having a double standard on nuclear proliferation and defends Palestinian rights to resist occupation.
