Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian accused US President Donald Trump of having a “bullying mentality” at the United Nations on Wednesday, saying Iran would not surrender in its war with the United States but remained open to diplomacy to end the conflict.
In a wartime address to the 193-member UN General Assembly, Pezeshkian said threats would only strengthen Iran’s resolve, rejecting Trump’s warning that he could annihilate Iran if no agreement were reached.
“The remarks made by the US president yesterday ... are a sign of a bullying mentality. ... The Iranian people will not bow to pressure. ... Those who are terrorists and train terrorists call us terrorists,” he said, referring to Trump’s description of Iran as the world’s leading sponsor of terrorism.
Pezeshkian said several times during his speech that Iran was prepared to resolve tensions with the United States through negotiations, but warned that Tehran would not accept the use of force.
The US delegation walked out at the start of Pezeshkian’s speech. The US mission to the United Nations did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Pezeshkian opened his address by accusing the United States of killing civilians during the war and held up photographs, including one showing schoolgirls in a classroom.
A missile strike on a primary school in Minab on February 28, hours after US and Israeli attacks on Iran began the conflict, killed more than 175 children and teachers, according to Iranian officials.
The Pentagon has not publicly released the findings of its investigation into the Minab strike, the deadliest civilian-casualty incident involving the US military in decades. Reuters reported on March 5 that an initial internal US military investigation found US forces were likely responsible for the strike.
Pezeshkian said Iran had no intention of developing nuclear weapons but would not relinquish its right to a peaceful nuclear programme.
“Neither nuclear weapons nor giving up nuclear knowledge,” he said.
Seven months into a conflict that has rattled markets and pushed the Gulf towards a wider war, Washington is pursuing an unprecedented economic offensive after military action failed to force Tehran to yield.
Iranian leaders are concerned that worsening economic conditions, marked by rising prices, weaker trade and pressure on household incomes, could reignite nationwide unrest that has repeatedly challenged the Islamic Republic.
The Strait of Hormuz, a key route for about a fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas supplies, has become a major focus of tensions between Iran and the United States.
Tehran has conveyed conditions to the United States through mediators for reopening the strategic waterway, Iranian sources told Reuters on Tuesday.
“It cannot be the case that everyone benefits from the Strait of Hormuz while we are denied access to shipping through this waterway. The permanent deployment of hostile fleets and the expansion of the war will not lead to peace,” Pezeshkian said.