"We have been the victims of terrorism": Pezeshkian hits back at Trump, US delegation walks out of UNGA
New York, Sep 23 (UNI) Launching a fierce rebuttal to US President Donald Trump at the United Nations General Assembly, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Wednesday rejected Washington's accusations against Tehran and declaried that Iran "will never bow" to pressure, while a US delegation walked out of the chamber as he continued his address.
Responding directly to Trump's speech on the previous day, Pezeshkian accused the US of portraying Iran as a terrorist state while insisting that Iranians themselves had been victims of terrorism. "The US president described us as terrorists. We have been the victims of terrorism," Pezeshkian said. The Iranian president accused the United States and Israel of using military force against Iranian civilians, saying the US had "bombed a school" and that children had died in attacks involving weapons used by the two countries.
Iran's response to the attacks, he insisted, had been defensive and did not target civilians. Iran "did not bow our head … and responded, but we did not hit civilian populations," he said, adding that Tehran had "only defended ourselves - we are not terrorists." As Pezeshkian continued his criticism of the US, members of the US delegation left the General Assembly chamber, underscoring the sharp divisions between Washington and Tehran. Pezeshkian also rejected accusations that Iran sought regional domination or intended to use its military capabilities for aggression. He said Iran had not attacked another country for decades and described its military strength as defensive.
"We do not seek power to attack or commit aggression. We seek energy for progress, not to threaten societies with weapons," he said. The Iranian leader issued a direct warning against further attacks on his country, saying Tehran would not require outside approval to defend itself. "We say it clearly: to defend our country, we do not seek anyone's permission or approval," he made it clear. Reiterating Iran's position on its nuclear programme, he said Tehran was not seeking nuclear weapons but would not abandon what it considers its right to peaceful nuclear technology.
"We will not bow our head and give up the right that is inherently ours," he asserted, adding, "We say it clearly: no nuclear weapons and no limitations to peaceful nuclear technology." Turning again to Trump's remarks, Pezeshkian said statements made against Iran were contrary to the principles of the UN Charter and warned that pressure and sanctions would not force Tehran to surrender. "He must know that the resistance of the Iranian people will only increase in the face of sanctions, increased pressure, increased bullying," he said.
"We will never bow our head or bend at the knee," Pezeshkian declared. At the same time, Pezeshkian said Iran remained open to negotiations, but rejected what he described as diplomacy conducted under coercion. "It must be understood by Mr Trump and those who seek to bully us that we are ready for dialogue and diplomacy and negotiations - without accepting the language of force," he said. Pezeshkian also warned against an expansion of the conflict, saying further warfare would not bring security.
On Palestine, he described the situation as "an open wound on the conscience of the international community" and said lasting peace in West Asia was impossible without justice for Palestinians. The Iranian president ended by vowing to continue defending his country, saying Iran had been tested by the conflict but would not surrender. "We will stand in defence of our beloved Iran, our homeland, until our last breath," he said.
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