NEW YORK, September 23, 2026 — Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian used his address to the United Nations General Assembly to reject accusations that Iran is a leading sponsor of terrorism, directly responding to remarks made by US President Donald Trump one day earlier.
Speaking during the General Debate of the UN General Assembly’s 81st session, Pezeshkian accused Iran’s critics of using the term “terrorism” against a country that he said had itself been the victim of attacks. He also defended Iran’s nuclear programme, criticised what he described as double standards in nuclear oversight, and reaffirmed Tehran’s support for the Palestinian people.
Pezeshkian Responds to US Terrorism Accusations
Pezeshkian opened his speech with a direct response to President Donald Trump’s description of Iran as the “number one sponsor of terror.”
“Those who are terrorists…describe us using that word,” the Iranian president said, according to the UN News report.
He presented an image of former Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, whom he said was assassinated without a legal basis during a joint US-Israeli strike in February. Pezeshkian also displayed images of children he associated with attacks on a school and a sports hall, along with photographs of graves.
The Iranian president said the victims were civilians who had committed no crimes and declared that Iran had been a victim of terrorism.
“We have been the victims of terrorism,” Pezeshkian said.
His remarks formed a central part of his broader argument that international discussions about terrorism and security should also examine military actions and the treatment of civilians.
Iran’s President Defends the Country’s Military Response
During his address, Pezeshkian argued that Iran had not attacked another country or territory for two centuries. He rejected claims that Iran was responsible for regional instability and described the country’s response to attacks as an act of national resistance.
“We did not bend the knee; we did not bow our heads. We responded, but we did not hit civilian populations,” he said.
The comments reflected Tehran’s stated position that its actions should be viewed within the context of attacks against Iran and wider regional tensions.
The claims and characterisations presented in the speech represent the Iranian government’s position. The broader circumstances surrounding military operations and accusations involving the countries concerned remain subjects of international dispute.
Pezeshkian Says Iran’s Nuclear Programme Is Peaceful
Another major focus of the Iranian president’s UN address was the country’s nuclear programme.
Pezeshkian insisted that Iran’s nuclear technology is intended for peaceful purposes rather than the development of nuclear weapons. He highlighted potential applications in healthcare, agriculture, and industry.
“For our sick people it is cure and treatment, for the agricultural sector it is food security, for industries it is advancement and progress,” he said.
Iran has repeatedly maintained that its nuclear activities serve civilian objectives. However, the country’s nuclear programme has remained a major issue in international diplomacy, particularly because of concerns about nuclear proliferation, monitoring, sanctions, and regional security.
Criticism of Nuclear Oversight
Pezeshkian also accused the international community of applying what he called a double standard to nuclear development.
He pointed to Israel’s nuclear capabilities and its status outside the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, contrasting this with the inspections and sanctions directed at Iran.
“The nuclear weapon is in Israel, but the inspectors are in Iran. Israel kills, but Iran is subject to sanctions,” he said.
His remarks linked the nuclear issue to wider disagreements over international law, accountability, and the application of global security rules.
Iranian President Reaffirms Support for Palestine
The situation in Gaza was another central issue in Pezeshkian’s speech.
The Iranian president expressed strong support for Palestinians and accused Israel of committing genocide. He referred to the number of civilians killed and displaced in Gaza, stating that approximately 80,000 innocent people had been killed and hundreds of thousands displaced.
Pezeshkian argued that those responsible for violence should not present themselves as defenders of peace and stability.
“They are committing genocide...then they label others as terrorists,” he said, referring to Israel.
The Gaza conflict has continued to generate international debate over civilian protection, humanitarian assistance, accountability, and the implementation of international law. Pezeshkian used the issue to challenge what he considers inconsistent international responses to violence in the Middle East.
Pezeshkian Addresses Protests in Iran
The Iranian president also discussed the popular protests that took place in Iran during the first part of the year.
Pezeshkian portrayed the demonstrations as expressions of support for Iran’s homeland and national security rather than opposition to the government. He claimed that foreign powers, including Israel and the United States, had equipped, trained, and armed individuals to create instability inside Iran.
“The people of Iran, in the past 7 months, have been in the streets every night demonstrating in support of their land, of their homeland,” he said.
These statements reflect the Iranian government’s interpretation of the protests. The motivations of demonstrators and the events surrounding the unrest may be understood differently by opposition groups, international observers, and other sources.
Message to Trump: Pressure Will Not Weaken Iran
Pezeshkian concluded his speech with a message directed at President Trump.
He argued that sanctions, pressure, and what he described as bullying would increase the resistance of the Iranian people rather than force Iran to surrender.
“He must know that the resistance of the Iranian people will only increase in the face of sanctions, pressure, and bullying,” Pezeshkian said.
The statement comes amid continuing tensions between Tehran and Washington, including disagreements over Iran’s nuclear activities, sanctions, military operations, and regional security.
What Pezeshkian’s UN Speech Means for International Relations
Pezeshkian’s address highlighted several of the most contested issues in global diplomacy:
US-Iran relations: Iran rejected accusations made by the US president and criticised American pressure.
Nuclear oversight: Tehran challenged the international approach to nuclear monitoring and sanctions.
Israel and Palestine: Iran reiterated its support for Palestinians and condemned Israel’s military actions.
Regional security: Pezeshkian presented Iran as a country responding to external attacks rather than a source of instability.
International accountability: The speech questioned whether international rules are applied consistently to different states.
The address demonstrated how the UN General Assembly continues to serve as a platform for governments to present their positions on conflict, security, humanitarian crises, and international law.
Conclusion
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian used his 2026 UN General Assembly speech to challenge accusations from the United States, defend Iran’s nuclear programme, and condemn the situation in Gaza. He presented Iran as a victim of terrorism and argued that international powers apply double standards to questions of security and accountability.
His remarks underline the continuing diplomatic tensions between Iran, the United States, Israel, and other international actors. As debates over nuclear oversight, regional conflict, and civilian protection continue, Pezeshkian’s address adds another perspective to the wider discussion at the United Nations.
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