Iran President Pezeshkian Warns Trump At UNGA: ‘Iran Will Never Bend The Knee’

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Wednesday that Iran and its people have been “victims of terrorism”, accusing the United States of violating international law and stressing that Tehran must remain powerful enough to deter threats.

Addressing world leaders at the United Nations General Assembly, Pezeshkian said Iran had only defended itself against attacks and rejected accusations that Tehran was responsible for terrorism.

“We have only defended ourselves. We are not terrorists,” Pezeshkian said. “Our innocent people have been the targets of cowardly attacks and aggressions imposed upon our country. And we defended ourselves with utmost strength. America and Israel attacked us.”

Pezeshkian also issued a direct warning to US President Donald Trump, saying Iran would never “bend the knee” or surrender to pressure.

“Iran must be powerful to avoid being threatened,” he said, while stressing that Tehran did not seek to use its strength for hegemony.

The Iranian president said the country’s defence capabilities were designed to ensure that any attack on Iranian cities would not go unanswered.

He also warned that Iran would not allow the Strait of Hormuz to be used for “aggression”.

Pezeshkian Holds Up Photo Of Minab School Attack Victims

Pezeshkian arrived at the 81st session of the UN General Assembly carrying a photograph of victims of the Minab school attack. He held up the photograph from the podium during his address.

“I come from an Iran in which our esteemed Supreme Leader was assassinated without any legal framework or reason. I come from an Iran where, in truth, they bombed a school,” Pezeshkian said.

While rejecting the prospect of surrender in the conflict with the US, Pezeshkian said Tehran remained committed to diplomacy as a means of finding a way to end the confrontation.

What Trump Said About Iran At UNGA

Pezeshkian’s remarks came a day after Trump, speaking from the same UN stage, said he was weighing whether to reach a deal with Iran or “annihilate” the Islamic Republic.

Trump said Iran could either reach an agreement that would allow it to rebuild and become “a far greater country”, or face further military action.

“Will a deal be made with Iran that lets them rebuild and create a far greater country than it ever was before — maybe one of the greatest in the Middle East or even the world?” Trump asked.

He alternatively questioned whether he should “annihilate” the Islamic Republic “quickly”, arguing that this would prevent Iran from having another opportunity to “kill and destroy” people and countries.

“Do I drive them into hell with no chance of survival and no hope of future greatness?” Trump asked.

The US president also defended the strikes on Iran, saying Washington had given Tehran multiple opportunities to reach a deal before military action was launched.