Archive · 23 Sep 2026
Pezeshkian Defies Trump With Defiant UN Speech on Iran
Iran’s president gave a strong speech at the United Nations.
He said Iran would not surrender or submit to pressure.
He accused the United States of terrorism over the reported killing of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
He also said Iran had not started the war with the United States and Israel.
The speech followed President Donald Trump’s warning that he might take extremely severe action against Iran.
Trump had also praised renewed negotiations between the two sides.
Pezeshkian did not discuss those negotiations in his speech.
He warned that Iran would restrict use of the Strait of Hormuz if it was used against Iran.
Higher fuel prices could create political problems for Trump’s party before the midterm elections.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian told the United Nations that Iran would never “bend at the knee.”
Pezeshkian accused Washington of terrorism over the reported assassination of former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
He maintained that Iran had never been the aggressor in the conflict with the United States and Israel.
Pezeshkian did not mention ongoing negotiations with United States representatives aimed at ending the stalled conflict.
He warned that Iran would not allow the Strait of Hormuz to be used against Iranian interests, amid sharply higher global energy prices.
- Who
- Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, United States President Donald Trump, and the governments of Iran, the United States, and Israel.
- What
- Pezeshkian delivered a defiant United Nations speech rejecting surrender, accusing Washington of terrorism, and warning over the Strait of Hormuz.
- When
- Wednesday, during Pezeshkian’s first United Nations address since the reported outbreak of full-scale war.
- Where
- The United Nations General Assembly in New York.
- Why
- Pezeshkian was responding to the conflict, sanctions, pressure from the United States, and disputes over use of the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran’s Position
United States Position
Responsibility for the conflict
Iran’s Position
Pezeshkian said Iran had never been the aggressor and accused Washington of terrorism over the reported killing of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
United States Position
Donald Trump told the United Nations that he was considering whether to “annihilate” Iran, while also praising the resumption of negotiations.
Pressure and resistance
Iran’s Position
Pezeshkian said sanctions, increased pressure, and bullying would strengthen the resistance of the Iranian people, not force Iran to surrender.
United States Position
The report describes continued United States pressure on Iran, including sanctions and threats, alongside diplomatic negotiations.
Strait of Hormuz
Iran’s Position
Iran said it would not permit the waterway to be used to support opposing interests or aggression against Iran.
United States Position
Iran’s intermittent blockades of the Strait of Hormuz have driven global energy prices sharply higher, creating wider economic and political concerns.
- Speaker
- Masoud Pezeshkian, president of Iran
- Venue
- United Nations General Assembly
- Main message
- Iran would never “bend at the knee” or bow its head
- Main accusation
- Pezeshkian accused Washington of terrorism over the reported assassination of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei
- Negotiations
- United States and Iranian representatives had resumed talks, according to the report
- Strait of Hormuz
- Pezeshkian said Iran would not allow the waterway to be used against Iranian interests
- Political impact
- Higher fuel prices were described as a potential risk for Republican control of Congress in the November midterm elections