Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian delivered a defiant speech at the UN General Assembly on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, stating that his country will not bow to pressure or bullying. Pezeshkian claimed that Iran has been a victim of terrorism by the United States and held up large photos of the late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and over 150 school children killed in the war. He emphasized that Iran has only defended itself and is not a terrorist.
Pezeshkian's speech was a response to US President Donald Trump's comments a day earlier, where Trump suggested he could "annihilate" the Islamic Republic if a deal isn't reached soon to end the nearly seven-month war. The Iranian president called out Trump by name, saying that Iran is ready for dialogue and diplomacy but will not accept the language of force. He added that Iran's resistance will only increase in the face of sanctions and pressure.
Pezeshkian also disputed claims that Iran had targeted civilian populations, stating that "We did not hit civilian populations." However, mariners and migrant workers in the region have been among the civilians killed in Iran's attacks since the war began. The speech was part of a rare wartime address by an Iranian president at the UN General Assembly.
The speech came as intermittent attacks continued in the Strait of Hormuz off Iran's coast, where commercial shipping remained below prewar levels. Pezeshkian's address elaborated on Tehran's stance as more than a year of start-stop negotiations between Iran and the US have failed to produce a sustainable solution.
US President Trump told reporters that his chief envoys, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, met with Iranian officials on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly for about three hours. However, Trump offered few details about the discussions, saying only that "it was a very good meeting." The Iranian officials were not the highest level, but Trump considered it a positive development.
Tehran downplayed Tuesday's unscheduled exchange, with Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei stating that the talks were "not anything new." Baghaei maintained that Iran's negotiating position remains unchanged, demanding that the US end its blockade of Iranian ports and release frozen Iranian assets.
Pezeshkian's address was his second at the UN General Assembly, following last year's speech months after the 12-day Israel-Iran war that saw the assassination of many of the Islamic Republic's highest military and political leaders. The speech highlighted the ongoing tensions between Iran and the US, with no clear resolution in sight.
Key points
- Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian delivers defiant speech at UN General Assembly, stating that his country will 'never bend at the knee'.
- Pezeshkian disputes US claims, saying Iran has been victim of terrorism and only defended itself.
- US President Trump says his envoys had a "very good meeting" with Iranian officials on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.
