We have been victims of terrorism: Iran President tells UN in rare wartime address
In a UN General Assembly address, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian denied that his country is a terrorist state, claiming instead that Iran has been a victim of terrorism by the U.S. and Israel. The speech follows recent threats from U.S. President Donald Trump regarding potential military action.
Why it matters
The rhetoric highlights the escalating geopolitical tensions between Iran and the U.S., signaling a volatile period in international relations.
Iran's President on Wednesday (September 23, 2026) that his people have been “victims of terrorism” by the United States, delivering a rare wartime speech at UN General Assembly a day after U.S. President Donald Trump said he could “annihilate” the Islamic republic.
President Masoud Pezeshkian held up photos of the late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and the more than 150 school children killed on the first days of the war.
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