Iran’s President’s UN General Assembly Speech: ‘We Are Victims of Terrorism’, ‘Iran Wants Nuclear Power, Not the Bomb’ – 10 Key Facts | Today’s news
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian used his speech to the United Nations General Assembly on Wednesday (23 September) to accuse the United States and Israel of attacking Iran, rejecting terrorism charges and defending Tehran’s military and nuclear positions.
Pezeshkian’s speech came a day after US President Donald Trump warned at the same forum that he could “wipe out” the Islamic Republic if a deal is not reached. The speech also followed renewed indirect US-Iranian contacts through intermediaries on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.
Here are the key takeaways from Pezeshkian’s address:
‘1. “We have become victims of terrorism”
Pezeshkian rejected Trump’s description of Iran as a terrorist state, saying that Iranians were victims of terrorism instead.
“The president of the United States has described us as terrorists. We have become victims of terrorism,” Pezeshkian told world leaders.
He held up photographs of the late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and children killed in the Minab school attack as he tried to present Iran’s account of the war.
“I come from Iran where our respected supreme leader was assassinated without any legal framework or reason,” he said.
“I’m from Iran where they actually bombed a school,” he added, referring to the US attack on Iran’s Minab Elementary School on the first day of the war.
Pezeshkian said he’s from “Iran, where they actually bombed a school. You see, these kids; these kids died under bombs with weapons used by the United States and Israel,” he said.
“They were innocent, they had no crimes,” he added.
Iranian officials previously said the Minab school was hit on the day the conflict began, killing more than 100 children and teachers. The attack on Minab and the killing of Khamenei were among the issues Iran said it would raise at the UN.
2. ‘We didn’t bend the knee’ – Pezeshkian blames US and Israel for attacking Iran
Iran’s president said Tehran acted in self-defense after attacks by the United States and Israel.
“We were just defending ourselves. We’re not terrorists.”
He accused both countries of launching attacks against Iran and said Tehran responded with force.
“Yes, they hit us, but we didn’t move a knee.
3. Iran wants nuclear power, not a nuclear bomb
Pezeshkian defended Iran’s nuclear program and reiterated Tehran’s position that it is seeking nuclear power rather than a nuclear weapon.
“Iran needs nuclear power, not a nuclear bomb.”
The nuclear issue remains a major point of contention between Washington and Tehran as both sides seek a possible diplomatic settlement.
4. “Iran won’t give up” but encourages diplomacy
Despite his strong criticism of Washington, Pezeshkian said Iran remains open to negotiations.
“Iran will not surrender with military force, it believes in diplomacy.”
He called for dialogue without coercion and threats.
“We are ready for dialogue, diplomacy and negotiation without adopting the language of force.”
His remarks came as US and Iranian officials held indirect discussions in New York through intermediaries. Trump called the discussions a “very good meeting,” while Iranian officials said Tehran’s negotiating position had not changed.
5. Hormuz remains a key red line
Pezeshkian said the Strait of Hormuz cannot be used to transport weapons that would then be used against Iran.
“We cannot allow some to freely access and advance their interests from the waterway and at the same time use the waterway to impose their aggression on us.”
The waterway became one of the central disputes in the negotiations. Washington wants free navigation along the strategic shipping route, while Tehran has linked its reopening to the lifting of the US blockade of Iranian ports.
The dispute has wider implications as the strait is a critical route for global energy supplies.
6. “Israel Kills, Tehran Gets Sanctioned”: Pezeshkian Attacks Double Standards
Pezeshkian accused Western governments of applying what he described as a double standard to Iran and Israel.
“Israel kills, Tehran gets sanctions, this is a double standard.”
7. “Iran’s military power is defensive”
Pezeshkian said Iran needs to maintain sufficient military and national strength to withstand pressure from the United States and other adversaries.
“Iran must be strong and powerful to resist the US, the enemies.”
He described Iran’s military capabilities as defensive rather than offensive.
“Iran’s military power is defensive.”
8. “Trump should know that threats unite the Iranian nation”
Pezeshkian was blunt about Trump’s threats, warning that the pressure could have the opposite effect than Washington intended.
“Trump should know that threats unite the Iranian nation.”
He said the Iranian people would continue to resist sanctions, pressure and what he described as bullying.
9. “Iran never started a war”
Pezeshkian rejected the characterization of Iran as an aggressor, saying Tehran has historically been willing to negotiate.
“Iran has never been an aggressor, has never started a war, and has always demonstrated its commitment to the negotiating table.”
He said Iran had been forced into the conflict but had shown it was ready to fight.
10. Pezeshkian leaves the door open for negotiation
The speech combined strong accusations against Washington and Israel with an explicit call for diplomacy.
“They imposed war on us, but we proved that we are not afraid of a fight.
He added that Iran is ready for negotiations, but will not accept talks conducted under military pressure.
His remarks came at a time when the first significant diplomatic contacts between the US and Iran took place in several months on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly. Iranian Foreign Ministry officials said Tehran’s terms remained unchanged, including demands for an end to the US blockade and the release of frozen Iranian assets.
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