At the UN General Assembly, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian responded to threats from US President Donald Trump regarding potential military action against Iran, stating that the nation would maintain its resistance against increased pressure and sanctions. Pezeshkian characterized Trump’s warnings as reflecting a “bullying mentality” while simultaneously indicating Iran’s willingness to pursue diplomatic channels and negotiations.
The Iranian leader emphasized that any agreement to resolve the ongoing conflict must include an end to the US blockade preventing Iranian vessels from transiting the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway through which approximately one-fifth of global oil and gas shipments typically pass. Pezeshkian stated it was inequitable for other nations to benefit from the strait while Iran was denied access to its shipping lanes.
During his address, Pezeshkian presented evidence of civilian casualties from earlier military operations, including photographs documenting over 175 deaths that occurred when he said the US and Israel conducted a joint attack in late February. He held up an image of Iran’s late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who he said was killed in that strike. The US delegation walked out during Pezeshkian’s remarks, and American officials disputed some of the Iranian government’s casualty claims.
On the nuclear issue, Pezeshkian reaffirmed Iran’s commitment to maintaining its civilian nuclear program while denying any intention to develop nuclear weapons, contrasting with Trump’s demands that Iran relinquish nuclear ambitions. Indirect talks between Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and US envoy Steve Witkoff occurred on the sidelines of the UN assembly, brokered by Qatari mediators, marking the first such discussions since June when a previous preliminary agreement collapsed.
Separately, an attack on a cargo ship in the Strait of Hormuz resulted in the death of an Indian sailor, prompting India’s foreign ministry to call for the restoration of unimpeded passage through the waterway.
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