Pezeshkian at UN: Iran will never ‘bend at the knee’ to pressure

Masoud Pezeshkian, president of the regime ruling Iran, struck a defiant tone in his first address to the UN General Assembly, vowing that Tehran would never "bend at the knee" to external pressure. He accused Washington of "terrorism" for the assassination of former supreme leader Ali Khamenei, insisting that Tehran had not initiated the conflict. The speech followed remarks by US President Donald Trump, who had mentioned weighing the option to "annihilate" Iran. Ignoring potential talks to resolve the ongoing war, Pezeshkian stated that the resistance of the Iranian people would only intensify in the face of sanctions and bullying. He further warned regarding the Strait of Hormuz, asserting that Tehran would not allow the waterway to be used as leverage against Iran while others benefit from free access. Pezeshkian's attendance in New York was facilitated by a US visa, though several members of his entourage were denied entry.