New Delhi, September 23: Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said his country and its people have been “victims of terrorism” during his speech at the UN General Assembly on Wednesday. He accused the US of not respecting international law and said Iran must be powerful enough to deter threats.
Pezeshkian warned US President Donald Trump that Iran would never “bend the knee” or surrender to pressure. “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.”
“Iran must be powerful to avoid being threatened,” he said, adding that Tehran does not seek to use its power for hegemony. Pezeshkian said Iran’s defence capabilities are aimed at ensuring that any attack on Iranian cities does not go unanswered. He also said Iran would not allow the Strait of Hormuz to be used for “aggression”.
Pezeshkian arrived at the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly carrying a photograph of the victims of the Minab school attack, which he held up from the podium during his address to world leaders. “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,” he said.
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