Masoud Pezeshkian addressed the United Nations General Assembly in New York on September 23, 2026, delivering a defiant speech as world leaders gathered for UNGA 81.
Broadcasters and wire services reported Pezeshkian took the podium on the second day of the general debate and struck a confrontational tone toward the United States and Israel. PBS wrote that he said, “We have only defended ourselves. We are not terrorists,” while NBC said he “vowed that Iran would not limit its nuclear program.”
Video and live coverage showed Pezeshkian holding up photographs during his address; CNBC reported he “began his address… by holding up photos of children he said were killed by U.S. and [allies].” Al Jazeera’s live blog and Reuters photo captions confirmed he was speaking from the U.N. General Assembly hall in New York.
The U.S. delegation’s reaction was visible: NBC and other outlets noted members of the U.S. delegation walked out while he spoke, and PBS covered the wider diplomatic context on the sidelines in New York. The address came a day after remarks from U.S. President Donald Trump at the same assembly, which several outlets linked to heightened tensions.
Observers described the speech as rare for a leader whose country is at war with the United States; ABC said it was “the first world leader believed to do so while their country is at war with the US.” BBC offered analysis of the diplomatic messages sent by both Iran and the United States at this year’s U.N. sessions.
For readers tracking the wider week of diplomacy in New York, the United Nations opened the UNGA 81 general debate as world leaders convened, and U.S. foreign-policy officials faced a packed agenda at the Assembly. See background on the opening of the session and U.S. priorities at United Nations opens UNGA 81 general debate in New York as world leaders convene and on what U.S. officials will face at Foreign policy: what U.S. officials will face at the U.N. General Assembly.
Sources
- PBS NewsHour — reported Pezeshkian’s line “We have only defended ourselves. We are not terrorists” and covered his remarks at the General Assembly.
- CNBC — reported he “began his address… by holding up photos of children he said were killed by U.S. and” allies.
- NBC News — reported Pezeshkian “vowed that Iran would not limit its nuclear program” and described the U.S. delegation walking out.
- Reuters — provided photo and caption confirming Pezeshkian spoke at the U.N. General Assembly in New York on September 23, 2026.
- Al Jazeera — live blog of UN General Assembly coverage confirming timing and tone of the address.
- ABC News — noted it was a rare U.N. appearance while Iran is at war with the United States.
- BBC — provided analysis of the diplomatic messages from the U.N. stage.
