Expert: Trump likely ‘smirked’ at Iranian president’s UN speech

During the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, Masoud Pezeshkian, the president of the regime ruling Iran, accused the United States and Israel of attacking Iran, claiming his country is a victim of terrorism. These remarks followed a speech by U.S. President Donald Trump from the same podium, in which he defended U.S. policy toward Iran. Behnam Ben Taleblu, a senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD), told Fox News that President Trump likely responded to Pezeshkian’s rhetoric with a smirk, noting that Trump understands he holds the cards in this confrontation. Taleblu argued that Pezeshkian attempted to frame the regime ruling Iran as a victim through anti-American and anti-Israeli rhetoric, asserting that in reality, the Iranian people are the true victims of the regime's policies. Despite the public hostility, reports indicate that indirect discussions between the two sides have continued on the sidelines of the General Assembly. President Trump stated that U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner held productive talks with Iranian officials. However, analysts suggest that as long as the core positions and red lines regarding issues such as the nuclear program and Persian Gulf security remain unchanged, the oscillation between threats and diplomacy is unlikely to significantly alter the trajectory of the conflict.