Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian vowed resistance to US pressure at the UN, vowing Tehran would never 'bend at the knee' amid ongoing war with the US and Israel. The address followed Trump's threat to 'annihilate' Iran, which Pezeshkian called a 'bullying' mentality. The UN event, in Manhattan, saw Pezeshkian present a photo of late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, killed in a US-Israeli attack, and highlight the impact of the war on civilian lives.
Pezeshkian accused Washington of 'terrorism' for the assassination of Ayatollah Khamenei and the subsequent war, which has led to a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. He warned against allowing 'free access' to the waterway while Iran faces aggression. The strait, critical for global oil shipments, has been intermittently blocked since the war began, causing energy prices to rise. Pezeshkian's speech followed a recent attack on a cargo ship in the strait, which killed an Indian sailor.
The war has disrupted global energy markets, with soaring fuel prices threatening to cost Trump's Republicans their control of Congress in November. Pezeshkian's UN address, despite visa issues, underscored Iran's stance on ending the blockade and securing access to the Strait of Hormuz. The US and Iran had previously agreed to end the war but the deal collapsed after Iran resumed attacks on shipping and the US reinstated its blockade. Pezeshkian insisted any resolution must include an end to the US blockade and a commitment to diplomatic dialogue.
The US delegation walked out of the chamber during Pezeshkian's speech, signaling a lack of immediate cooperation. The conflict has led to significant diplomatic and economic tensions, with Iran seeking to maintain control over the Strait of Hormuz and collect fees from vessels using it, a stance the US has rejected. The war has also resulted in civilian casualties, with over 175 people killed in missile strikes on schools and sports complexes, a claim the US has not fully acknowledged.