NEW YORK — Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Wednesday that Iran would not abandon its “peaceful” nuclear programme or its pursuit of civilian nuclear science, rejecting what he described as attempts by a handful of countries to monopolise nuclear knowledge.
Speaking at the United Nations General Assembly, Pezeshkian also said Iran would not surrender control over maritime navigation in its own territorial waters.
He referred to the recent conflict with the United States, alleging that US forces had bombed unarmed people at a school and stadium in Minab. He also referred to the killing of Iran’s former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Pezeshkian said Iran had acted in self-defence against the United States and argued that Tehran needed military capabilities to protect itself.
“When you defend yourself against the United States, they call it terrorism and accuse you of creating insecurity in the region,” he said, according to Al Jazeera.
The Iranian president also criticised inspections by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), arguing that Israel possesses nuclear weapons but has never faced comparable inspections.
He accused Israel of killing people while Iran faces sanctions, portraying the situation as evidence of what he called a double standard.
Pezeshkian further criticised US President Donald Trump’s address to the General Assembly, describing it as an expression of “hegemonic behaviour” and arrogance.
He said threats against Iran would instead strengthen national unity and claimed that those making such threats would eventually regret them.
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