The United States delegation walked out of the United Nations General Assembly on Wednesday as Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian accused Washington of terrorism and defended Iran’s actions in the war.
The walkout came at the start of Pezeshkian’s address to the 81st UN General Assembly in New York, a day after US President Donald Trump threatened to “annihilate” Iran if Tehran failed to reach a deal with Washington.
Pezeshkian directly responded to Trump’s description of Iran as the world’s leading sponsor of terrorism.
“Those who are terrorists and train terrorists call us terrorists,” Pezeshkian said.
“We have been the victims of terrorism.”
The Iranian president accused the United States and Israel of killing civilians in military strikes on Iran and held up photographs of children he said were killed in the attacks.
Pezeshkian said Iran had only defended itself against the US and Israeli campaign and rejected accusations that Tehran supports terrorism.
“We have only defended ourselves. We are not terrorists,” he said.
The Iranian president also said Iran would not surrender to US pressure but remained open to negotiations to end the conflict.
“The Iranian people will not bow to pressure,” he said.
The US mission to the United Nations did not immediately comment on the walkout.
Pezeshkian’s address came amid heightened tensions between Washington and Tehran following months of war, with the Strait of Hormuz remaining a major flashpoint in the conflict.
He said the presence of foreign military forces in the region and the expansion of the war would not bring peace.
