New York: Iranian President Masoud Pezheskian has criticised the policies of the United States and Israel at the United Nations General Assembly meeting and said that Iran will not surrender despite pressure. However, he also indicated that the path of negotiations and diplomacy to end the war is open.
Pezheskian referred to the attacks on Iran and civilian casualties in his address. He also showed pictures of children in the General Assembly and said that civilians were affected in these incidents.
The Iranian president questioned the pressure and military operations imposed on Iran by the United States and said that Tehran exercised its right to defend itself. According to him, Iran does not want war, but it will not give up on its defence either.
Pezshkian said, quoting US President Donald Trump, that threats and the use of force cannot force Iran to deviate from its conditions at the negotiating table. He made it clear that Iran is not afraid of war but does not reject talks for peace either.
The Iranian president also made the situation in Gaza an important part of his speech. He criticised Israeli actions, mentioned the deaths of Palestinian civilians, and said that a solution to the Palestinian issue is necessary for lasting peace in the region.
Speaking about Iran’s nuclear programme, Pezshkian said that Tehran considers the use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes to be its right. He once again said that Iran does not intend to acquire nuclear weapons but will not give up on a peaceful nuclear programme.
He also questioned various standards related to nuclear weapons at the global level. The Iranian president said that there is international supervision over Iran’s nuclear programme, so uniform principles should be adopted on nuclear issues in the region.
Pezzekiyan also criticised the sanctions against Iran. According to him, sanctions and pressure will not make Tehran back down from its basic position, but a path based on negotiations and mutual respect may be more effective.
During the speech, a representative of the US delegation walked out of the meeting. According to reports, this move came after the beginning of Pezzekiyan’s speech, when the Iranian president began to strongly criticise the actions of the US and Israel.
Nevertheless, the Iranian president maintained the scope for diplomatic contacts in his speech. He said that Iran prefers to resolve problems through negotiations rather than the language of force but will not give up its fundamental rights under any pressure.
Pazhakian’s speech comes as the ongoing session of the United Nations General Assembly is focused on the Middle East conflict, tensions between Iran and the United States, and the situation in Gaza. The General Assembly’s general debate runs from September 22 to 28.
The Iranian president’s speech made clear Tehran’s defence and nuclear stance while maintaining the possibility of negotiations. In doing so, Iran sent a message that it would resist military pressure while also keeping diplomatic channels open.
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