Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Wednesday that Tehran would not capitulate in its conflict with the United States, while maintaining that diplomacy remained the path towards ending the war. Speaking before the 193-member United Nations General Assembly, he defended Iran’s right to retaliate against attacks and rejected demands that Tehran surrender what it considers its legitimate rights.
Pezeshkian’s address came a day after US President Donald Trump used his UN speech to justify the conflict with Iran and warned that Washington could “annihilate the Islamic Republic” if the two sides failed to reach an agreement.
WHAT PEZESHKIAN SAID ON NUCLEAR PROGRAMME?
On Iran’s nuclear programme, Pezeshkian said Tehran would not abandon what it regards as its right to peaceful nuclear technology. He distinguished between civilian nuclear activities and the pursuit of nuclear weapons.
“We will not bow our head and give up the right that is inherently ours. We say it clearly: no nuclear weapons, and no limitations to peaceful nuclear technology,” he said.
Pezeshkian also asserted that Iran would retain the right to defend itself without requiring approval from other nations.
“Iran will not seek anyone's permission to defend itself,” he added.
He further questioned what he described as a double standard regarding nuclear inspections. According to Pezeshkian, Israel possesses nuclear and other weapons capabilities, while Iran continues to face demands for international inspections.
“Atomic and nuclear bombs are in the hands of the Israeli regime, but the inspectors are requested to come to Iran,” he said.
WHAT IS IRAN'S STAND ON HORMUZ?
A significant portion of Pezeshkian’s speech dealt with the Strait of Hormuz, a strategically important waterway through which a substantial portion of the world’s energy supplies is transported. The conflict has affected shipping through the strait, making its reopening a key issue in diplomatic discussions between Tehran and Washington.
“It cannot be the case that everyone benefits from the Strait of Hormuz while we are denied access to shipping through this waterway. The permanent deployment of hostile fleets and the expansion of the war will not lead to peace,” Pezeshkian said.
He said Iran did not view its neighbours as security competitors and wanted countries in the region to remain strong.
“We do not want to impose insecurity,” he said, while arguing that Tehran could not accept a situation in which other nations were allowed to use the waterway while Iran’s access was restricted and military action against it was supported.
The US delegation left the UN General Assembly chamber as Pezeshkian delivered his address, in which he criticised US and Israeli actions and responded to Trump’s remarks about Iran.
IRAN-US DIPLOMACY STILL OPEN
Pezeshkian’s UN speech came as diplomatic contacts between Iran and the United States continued in New York.
Trump said on Tuesday that US officials had met members of the Iranian delegation for three hours and described the discussions as “very good” and “very productive”. US special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner took part on behalf of Washington, while Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi represented Tehran.
However, the two sides offered somewhat different accounts of how the talks were conducted. Witkoff said American officials engaged in extended discussions through mediators who travelled between the two delegations, while Iranian state media confirmed contact between Araghchi and Witkoff. Trump said the discussions indicated progress towards a potential agreement.
“It was a good meeting ... It's to their advantage to make a deal,” Trump said.
“I can't imagine why they wouldn't want to do it,” he added, saying the alternatives ranged from reaching a possible agreement to “obliteration”.
Iran has also tied the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz to specific actions by the United States. Iranian state media reported that Tehran was seeking the removal of the US naval blockade, the unfreezing of Iranian assets and an end to the war across what it describes as all “resistance” fronts.
Separately, a senior Iranian official told Reuters that Tehran could reopen the waterway within a week if Washington reduced military pressure and lifted its blockade of Iranian ports. Iran has said its delegation in New York has the authority to engage in diplomatic negotiations.
