Pezeshkian says exposed US-Israeli crimes, Trump’s ‘terrorism’ at UNGA

In remarks delivered on Saturday night at the close of his trip, Pezeshkian fiercely dismissed US President Donald Trump’s baseless accusations labeling Iran a “terrorist” state, exposing the profound hypocrisy of Washington and its regional proxy.

“The United States directs numerous assassinations across the globe and trains terrorists,” Pezeshkian said. “Israel is also a regime that, with the full backing of the US, assassinates individuals anywhere in the world, and then they have the audacity to claim they are fighting terrorism.”

The president noted that Trump’s own belligerent remarks at the summit fundamentally shifted Iran’s diplomatic approach.

“These statements somewhat changed our way of thinking and our response. At the assembly, we defended Iran, our beliefs, and our convictions based on what we could,” he explained.

Pezeshkian emphasized that the UNGA provided a critical opportunity to dismantle the summit’s official theme of rebuilding trust.

He said that he used the presence to expose those who systematically violate international law while hypocritically preaching about trust.

“Those who trample on international laws and speak of trust are the most destructive and untrustworthy actors in the world,” he added.

The logic of negotiations

Addressing Western pressure to enter talks, Pezeshkian clarified Iran’s pragmatic yet principled stance on diplomacy.

“They told us to come and talk to them, while they do not act upon what they have signed. If we talk, will they act?” he asked, highlighting the US history of breaching agreements.

“We engage in dialogue so the world does not think we fear negotiations or are unwilling to talk, nor do we want them to assume we are the source of instability,” Pezeshkian explained. “We want to prove that the main source of instability in the region is the Americans and the Israelis. They do not abide by their writings and words, and they say something new every day.”

He firmly rejected the notion of capitulation, asserting that Iran makes no unreasonable demands.

“We only demand our rights within the framework of international laws and commitments, and we are not supposed to bow to their every demand,” the president declared.

‘Fight like men, not by bombing children’

In a scathing condemnation of the ongoing genocide in Gaza and the US war crimes against Iran, Pezeshkian highlighted the moral bankruptcy of the aggressors.

“Truly, no human being blocks others’ access to water and food. What they are doing in Gaza is the most brutal act humanity has ever committed. And then they stand behind a podium and announce: ‘These people [Iranians] are terrorists, we want to destroy Iran,’” he said.

Directly addressing the US and Israeli war criminals, the president said, “If you are men, fight like men, do not deprive a school with 160 innocent children of life! No one can answer why they did this. This itself proves the righteousness of our nation.”

President Pezeshkian’s visit to the 81st UN General Assembly was marked by a powerful address that captivated the international community.

In a rebuke to Western hegemony, Pezeshkian held up photographs documenting the American and Israeli war crimes against Iran, including the tragic images of the schoolchildren massacred in the Shajareh Tayyebeh Primary School in Minab and the victims of the US cluster munition strike on the sports hall in Lamerd.