Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian delivered a speech at the UN General Assembly on Wednesday, vowing that his country will not back down in the face of US pressure. He accused US President Donald Trump of adopting a "bullying mentality" after threatening to "annihilate" Iran. Pezeshkian emphasized that the Iranian people will not be intimidated and will continue to resist US sanctions and pressure.
Pezeshkian's speech focused on the US blockade of Iranian ports and the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway for global oil and gas shipments. He argued that Iran cannot benefit from the strait while being denied access to it. The US has threatened to shut down the strait if Iran does not comply with its demands. Pezeshkian also accused the US of "terrorism" in relation to the assassination of a top Iranian leader.
Trump has repeatedly threatened to take military action against Iran, saying he is capable of "wiping out" the country if a deal is not reached. Pezeshkian reiterated Iran's position that it is not seeking nuclear weapons. The two leaders met indirectly in New York, with US envoy Steve Wittig holding talks with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.
Araghchi informed Wittig of Iran's conditions for reopening the Strait of Hormuz, including the immediate lifting of US sanctions and the release of frozen Iranian assets. Wittig later stated that the talks were constructive, but a significant gap remains between the two sides. Iranian officials have confirmed that they are studying the US response to their proposals.
The Syrian conflict was also a topic of discussion at the UN General Assembly. Syrian President Ahmad Jarba emphasized that the Golan Heights, a strategic region occupied by Israel, will remain under Syrian sovereignty. He argued that any attempts to annex the region are illegitimate and contradict international law.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz responded to Jarba's comments, stating that the Golan Heights will remain under Israeli control "forever." Katz also referenced the 1973 war and the subsequent disengagement agreement, which he claimed was violated by Syria. The region has been a point of contention between Israel and Syria for decades.
The conflict in Ukraine was also addressed at the UN General Assembly. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with Trump and discussed efforts to end the conflict before winter. Zelenskyy expressed willingness to halt attacks on Russian energy infrastructure if Moscow agrees to a similar ceasefire. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated that Russia is open to negotiations for a "fair peace" in Ukraine.
Key points
- Iran's president vows not to back down against US pressure
- Syrian president asserts sovereignty over the Golan Heights
- Ukraine and Russia discuss potential ceasefire agreement
