Iran President Masoud Pezeshkian defiantly addressed the UN General Assembly a day after Trump threatened to annihilate Iran, vowing to resist U.S. intimidation and pursue diplomacy. Pezeshkian emphasized Iran's stance on the Strait of Hormuz and rejected threats of force, as U.S. officials walked out of the room.
Pezeshkian, who leads the negotiation faction in Iran, asserted that Tehran is ready for dialogue but will not accept the language of force. He highlighted the U.S. naval blockade and called for immediate lifting of sanctions, while U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio accused Iran of violating international norms by supporting militant groups.
Pezeshkian's speech underscored the challenges in resuming U.S.-Iran talks, with conditions including the lifting of the naval blockade and an end to the war. The conflict has disrupted energy markets, with crude oil prices rising as tensions over the Strait of Hormuz persist.
The UN speech marked a rare wartime address by Iran, with Pezeshkian holding up photos of victims and emphasizing the need for de-escalation before AI-driven warfare could impact the conflict.