By Olusola Adeyemi
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has used his address to the 81st United Nations General Assembly to challenge US President Donald Trump’s accusations against Iran, criticise Israel’s nuclear status and defend Tehran’s right to peaceful nuclear technology.
Pezeshkian directly responded to Trump’s warnings against Iran, maintaining that Tehran would not yield to threats or military pressure. He accused the United States and Israel of attacks on Iranian infrastructure and civilian facilities, while presenting photographs of children killed in attacks as evidence of what he described as the human cost of the conflict.
On Iran’s nuclear programme, Pezeshkian rejected what he called Western double standards, arguing that Israel possesses nuclear weapons while Iran faces international scrutiny and inspections. He reiterated Tehran’s position that it does not seek nuclear weapons but will not accept restrictions on what it describes as the peaceful use of nuclear technology
The Iranian president also condemned Israel’s military actions in Gaza, describing them as genocide and reaffirming Iran’s support for the Palestinian cause. These claims reflect Tehran’s position and remain contested by Israel and the United States.
Despite his confrontational remarks, Pezeshkian said Iran remained open to negotiations based on mutual respect and without what he called the “language of force.” Iran has also indicated that it could reopen the Strait of Hormuz if US military pressure and the blockade of Iranian ports are eased.
The speech came a day after Trump warned at the UN that the United States could “annihilate” Iran if a peace agreement was not reached, while stressing Washington’s opposition to Iran acquiring nuclear weapons.
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