Iran Rejects US Pressure, Keeps Door Open Diplomacy

NEW YORK: (News Desk) – Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has told the United Nations General Assembly that Iran will not surrender in the face of US military pressure, while stressing that Tehran remains committed to diplomacy to resolve disputes.

Addressing the 81st session of the UN General Assembly on Wednesday, Pezeshkian accused the United States and Israel of carrying out attacks that resulted in civilian casualties. He said Iran had been subjected to military aggression but would continue to defend itself. Reuters also reported that Pezeshkian rejected US threats and said Iran remained open to diplomacy.

At the start of his address, the Iranian president displayed images of former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and schoolchildren from Minab who, according to his account, were killed in attacks by the United States and Israel.

Pezeshkian alleged that cluster bombs had been used against an Iranian town, killing civilians, including women and children. He also criticized attacks on hospitals and schools, saying such actions violated international law and had caused significant loss of life and displacement.

The Iranian president rejected accusations that Iran was engaged in terrorism, saying Tehran was defending itself against what it described as aggression. He maintained that Iran had exercised its right to self-defence and that its retaliatory attacks were directed at US military assets rather than civilians.

Pezeshkian also criticized what he described as double standards in the international response to the conflict. Referring to Israel and Iran, he argued that sanctions had been imposed on Tehran while Israel continued to face accusations over civilian casualties.

Responding to US President Donald Trump’s criticism of Iran, Pezeshkian said threats and intimidation would not force Tehran to surrender and would instead strengthen unity inside Iran. Reuters reported that he specifically rejected what he described as Trump’s “bullying mentality.”

On regional security and the Strait of Hormuz, Pezeshkian said the strategic waterway could not be used to transport weapons intended for attacks against Iran. Iran has separately indicated that it could reopen the strait under conditions involving reduced US military pressure and the lifting of a blockade.

As Pezeshkian began his address, the US delegation reportedly walked out of the General Assembly chamber.