Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian declared at the United Nations General Assembly on 23/9 that "for two centuries, Iran has not attacked the territory of any nation, focusing solely on building its defensive capabilities." Pezeshkian further stated that Iran seeks nuclear technology exclusively for energy purposes and "the need for progress," not for military objectives.

"We will never bow down and abandon our inherent rights. We say no to nuclear weapons, and there are no limits to our peaceful nuclear technology," the Iranian president affirmed. He emphasized that "our peace does not come from the battlefield."

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian speaks at the United Nations General Assembly in New York on 23/9. Photo: AFP

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian speaks at the United Nations General Assembly in New York on 23/9. Photo: AFP

Pezeshkian stressed that "the resistance of the Iranian people will only intensify in the face of sanctions, pressure, or bullying tactics." He added that opponents "must provide the necessary security guarantees for the Iranian people and country." The Iranian president held up a photo of the late supreme leader Ali Khamenei, declaring that Tehran has never initiated war, while accusing the US and Israel of conducting airstrikes on civilian targets in Iran. A representative from the US delegation at the General Assembly walked out when President Pezeshkian made these accusations.

US officials walk out as the Iranian president speaks at the General Assembly. Screenshot from UN video

In his address, Pezeshkian did not mention negotiations to resolve the ongoing conflict, which remains in a stalemate. He stated that Tehran would not allow the Strait of Hormuz to be used for actions against Iran. "We cannot permit some parties to freely pass through and profit from this shipping lane, only to use that very route to commit aggression against us," he said.

In an earlier speech the same day, President Donald Trump said he was considering "annihilating" Iran if it did not accept a deal. However, he later welcomed the restart of negotiations between the parties. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, along with US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, held discussions through intermediaries on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly. Trump commented, "Steve and Jared had a very productive meeting today with Iranian intermediaries. I think they have a lot of momentum to get a deal done. That's also what we're hearing from all sides."

Location of Iran and the Strait of Hormuz. Graphic: Guardian

Location of Iran and the Strait of Hormuz. Graphic: Guardian

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei confirmed that Tehran had worked with Washington via Qatari intermediaries, outlining conditions including an end to hostilities on all fronts and a halt to "aggressive actions" from the US. The conflict between the US and Iran shows no signs of ending after nearly 7 months of clashes. Alongside battlefield pressure, the US announced expanded sanctions at the end of August to "strangle Iran's economy." Iran, however, expressed little concern over the threat of further sanctions, declaring it has a two-year plan to cope.