Iranian President Pezeshkian Gives Strong Response to Trump at UN: “We Were Called Terrorists While We Were Victims of Terrorism
New York | September 23, 2026 | Shabu Zaidi
Addressing the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian delivered a strong response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s allegations against Iran, including accusations of terrorism. Pezeshkian said that before labeling Iran a supporter of terrorism, the world should look at what happened to Iranian civilians, children and scientists during the recent conflict.
During his address, Pezeshkian displayed a photograph of Iran’s former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, along with photographs of children killed in an attack on a school in Minab. He said Iran comes from a country that has faced terrorism and whose leader was killed, while innocent civilians lost their lives in attacks on schools and other locations.
He said that on one hand, Iran is targeted in the name of fighting terrorism, while on the other, military action is carried out against it. Pezeshkian stated clearly, “We have only defended ourselves; we are not terrorists.” He rejected U.S. pressure and threats, saying that the Iranian people would not bow to pressure.
The Iranian president also raised the issue of Gaza before the United Nations. He accused Israel and the United States of applying double standards, saying that the suffering of civilians in Palestine and Gaza has exposed serious contradictions in the international system. He questioned why one side is judged by one standard while another side is judged by a different standard when taking military action.
Pezeshkian also presented Iran’s position on its nuclear programme. He said Iran does not seek nuclear weapons but is not prepared to abandon its right to peaceful nuclear technology. He called for the same standards to be applied to all countries under international law.
Responding to threats from the U.S. president, Pezeshkian said Iran would not bow to pressure or the language of force. At the same time, he made clear in his address that Iran was not closing the door to dialogue and diplomacy. In an interview with Fox News on September 24, Pezeshkian also said that Iran does not want to continue the war and that the decision to end the conflict rests with the United States.
The central message of Pezeshkian’s address was that the sovereignty, security and lives of civilians of any nation cannot be disregarded on the basis of military power. In his view, whether pressure and threats can force a nation to surrender is ultimately determined by its people—and Iran has refused to surrender.
He also placed before the international community a fundamental question: if the international system is truly based on justice and human rights, then its rules should be applied equally to all nations.