President Masoud Pezeshkian has declared at the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly that Iran will never bow down or surrender to military threats or sanctions from any global power.
Addressing the high-level UNGA 81 session in New York on Wednesday (September 23, 2026), Pezeshkian reaffirmed that Tehran has never initiated a war and has consistently sought diplomacy at the negotiating table. However, he emphasized that the nation will compromise on neither its national sovereignty nor its security.
Addressing the strategic Strait of Hormuz, Pezeshkian warned that the vital maritime bottleneck would not be permitted for military aggression or arms transport against Iran. He indicated that should US naval blockades be lifted and military escalation cease, the waterway could be reopened for commercial shipping within days.
On nuclear ambitions, he reiterated that Iran has no intention of developing nuclear weapons. However, he maintained that Tehran will not forfeit its right to peaceful nuclear technology for energy generation and medical advancement.
Pezeshkian strongly rejected assertions made by US President Donald Trump characterizing Iran as a terrorist state, countering that the Iranian people are victims of aggression and terrorism rather than perpetrators.
During his speech, the Iranian President held up photographs of children killed in a recent strike on a primary school and sports complex in Minab, as well as a portrait of Iran’s late Supreme Leader. The US delegation staged a walkout from the UN hall during his remarks.
