Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian addressed the United Nations General Assembly on September 24, 2026, delivering a forceful statement amid escalating tensions with the United States. Speaking one day after U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to “annihilate” Iran, Pezeshkian emphasized Tehran’s refusal to negotiate under coercion and reiterated the country’s commitment to developing peaceful nuclear technology.

In his speech, given during a protracted stalemate in diplomatic efforts, Pezeshkian declared that Iran would “never bow our head or bend at the knee” and vowed to defend the nation “until our last breath.” He accused the U.S. of undermining freedom and warned that Iran’s defenses were designed to ensure any attacks on its cities would be met with retaliation.

Pezeshkian’s address was historically notable as the first time a leader of a country engaged in conflict with the U.S. spoke at the General Assembly in its 81-year history. Absent from the hall were U.S. officials, underscoring the strained relations between the two countries.

During his remarks, Pezeshkian presented images of the late supreme leader Ali Khamenei, whom he said was assassinated at the outset of a joint U.S.-Israeli military operation, as well as photos of children killed in a bombing of a girls’ elementary school in Minab, near the Strait of Hormuz. The strike, which resulted in the deaths of over 120 children, has been linked in initial investigations to the U.S., although Washington has neither confirmed nor denied involvement.

The Iranian president rejected President Trump’s characterization of Iran as a terrorist state and accused the U.S. and Israel of using weapons that caused civilian casualties. He underscored Iran’s readiness for dialogue but insisted it would never accept negotiations under the threat of force. Pezeshkian reaffirmed Iran’s stance against developing nuclear weapons but stressed that Tehran would maintain its right to pursue peaceful nuclear technologies without limitations.

The speech came days after President Trump’s address, in which he spoke of the possibility of annihilating Iran and pushing the country “into hell and chaos.” Trump also renewed calls for the United Kingdom to engage in negotiations relating to a sovereignty dispute, presumably the Falkland Islands, highlighting complex international tensions.

Separately, the United Nations continues to face criticism over its handling of Middle East issues. A recent analysis from a Jerusalem-based research institute highlighted patterns of disproportionate scrutiny and condemnations directed specifically at Israel within UN bodies, particularly compared to other member states accused of human rights violations. Analysts note that since 2015, Israel has been the subject of more resolutions in the General Assembly than several other countries combined, fostering ongoing debate about potential institutional bias within the UN framework.

Overall, Pezeshkian’s address at the UN underscored Iran’s defiant posture amid deepening hostilities with the United States, reaffirming its refusal to capitulate under pressure while signaling a willingness to engage in diplomatic talks on its terms.