Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian struck a defiant tone at the United Nations on Wednesday, saying Tehran would not yield to pressure as he addressed the conflict with the United States and Israel.
Pezeshkian, speaking at the U.N. General Assembly, accused Washington of “terrorism” over the reported assassination of former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei at the start of the conflict. He also maintained that Iran had never started a war.
The Iranian president said increased sanctions and pressure would not force Tehran to back down.
He also defended Iran’s position on the Strait of Hormuz, a key global shipping route that Tehran has restricted since the start of the conflict.
Pezeshkian said Iran would not allow the waterway to be used as leverage against the country while other nations continued to benefit from access to it.
His speech came a day after U.S. President Donald Trump told the General Assembly that he was considering whether to “annihilate” Iran, while also acknowledging renewed talks between U.S. and Iranian negotiators aimed at resolving the conflict.
Pezeshkian did not refer to those talks during his address.
His attendance at the U.N. gathering had been uncertain after questions over whether Washington would grant him a visa. The United States ultimately issued the visa but reportedly denied entry permits to several members of his delegation.
The conflict and restrictions around the Strait of Hormuz have contributed to higher global energy prices, adding to concerns about the economic impact of the war.
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