In historic UN speech, Iranian president accuses US and Israel of breaking international law

“They bombed a school,” said Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. “These children perished under bombs with weapons used by the United States and Israel.” MANHATTAN (CN) — Speaking at the United Nations General Assembly on Wednesday, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian tore into the United States and its ally Israel for their joint aggression in the Middle East. The 71-year-old, who has held office since July 2024, decried language used by President Donald Trump, who on Tuesday likened Iran to “the bully of the Middle East.” “The United States president described us as terrorists,” Pezeshkian said. “We have been the victims of terrorism.” The historic address marked the first time that the leader of a nation at war with the U.S. spoke at the annual gathering at the U.N. headquarters in Midtown Manhattan.

Scoop News DeskUs · Published Wednesday, September 23, 2026 at 4:47 PM UTCUpdated Wednesday, September 23, 2026 at 5:16 PM UTC

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1 dead — in the attack Israel kills, but Iran is subject to sanctions.” Pezeshkian closed with a direct message to Trump “and those who seek to bully us.” “We are ready for dialogue and diplomacy and negotiations without accepting the language of force,” he said.

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