Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said his country and its people have been “victims of terrorism” in a speech at the UN General Assembly on Wednesday.
“We have only defended ourselves. “Our innocent people have been the targets of cowardly attacks and aggressions imposed upon our country. And we defended ourselves with utmost strength. America and Israel attacked us. “I come from an Iran in which our esteemed Supreme Leader was assassinated without any legal framework or reason.
He accused the US of not respecting international law and said Iran must be powerful enough to deter threats. Pezeshkian also warned US President Donald Trump that Iran would never “bend at the knee” and would not surrender to pressure. We are not terrorists,” Pezeshkian said at the General Assembly. “Iran must be powerful to avoid being threatened,” Pezeshkian said, adding that Tehran does not seek to use its power for hegemony. He said Iran’s defence capabilities are built to ensure that any attack on Iranian cities does not go unanswered. Pezeshkian also said Iran would not allow the Strait of Hormuz to be used for “aggression”. I come from an Iran where, in truth, they bombed a school,” Pezeshkian said.
Earlier reporting noted: President Masoud Pezeshkian held up photos of the late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and the more than 150 school children killed on the first days of the war. We are not terrorists,” Mr. “Our innocent people have been the targets of cowardly attacks and aggressions imposed upon our country. And we defended ourselves with utmost strength. America and Israel attacked us.”
Pezeshkian added that Iran would not surrender in its war with the US, but said Tehran remained committed to diplomacy as a means of seeking an end to the conflict. Earlier reporting noted: We have been victims of terrorism: Iran President tells UN in rare wartime address Iran’s President on Wednesday (September 23, 2026) that his people have been “victims of terrorism” by the United States, delivering a rare wartime speech at UN General Assembly a day after U.S. President Donald Trump said he could “annihilate” the Islamic republic. Pezeshkian said at the General Assembly.
Earlier reporting noted: “We have only defended ourselves.
