Iran will not surrender, but open to talks: Pezeshkian's UNGA message to Trump

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Wednesday that Tehran would not surrender in its war with the United States, while insisting that diplomacy remained the way forward to end the conflict. Addressing the 193-member UN General Assembly, he defended Iran's right to respond to attacks and rejected pressure to give up its legitimate rights.

His speech came a day after US President Donald Trump used his UN address to defend the war against Iran and warn that Washington could "annihilate the Islamic Republic" if no agreement was reached.advertisement❮❯ Read Full StoryWHAT PEZESHKIAN SAID ON NUCLEAR PROGRAMME?Addressing Iran's nuclear programme, Pezeshkian said Tehran would not give up what it considers its right to peaceful nuclear technology. He drew a clear distinction between civilian nuclear activities and the development of nuclear weapons.

"We will not bow our head and give up the right that is inherently ours. We say it clearly: no nuclear weapons, and no limitations to peaceful nuclear technology." he said.

Pezeshkian also said Iran would retain the right to defend itself without seeking approval from other countries.

"Iran will not seek anyone's permission to defend itself," he added.

Pezeshkian also questioned double standard over nuclear inspections. He argued that Israel possesses nuclear and other weapons capabilities while Iran continues to face demands for international inspections.

"Atomic and nuclear bombs are in the hands of the Israeli regime, but the inspectors are requested to come to Iran," he said.

A major part of Pezeshkian's speech focused on the Strait of Hormuz, the strategic waterway through which a significant share of global energy supplies passes. The conflict has disrupted shipping through the strait, making its reopening a central issue in the diplomatic efforts between Washington and Tehran.

"It cannot be the case that everyone benefits from the Strait of Hormuz while we are denied access to shipping through this waterway. The permanent deployment of hostile fleets and the expansion of the war will not lead to peace," Pezeshkian said.

He stressed that Iran did not regard its neighbours as security rivals and said Tehran wanted strong neighbouring countries.

"We do not want to impose insecurity," he said, while arguing that Iran could not accept other countries using the waterway while restricting Iranian access and supporting military action against Tehran.IRAN-US DIPLOMACY STILL OPEN

The war of wars in UNGA comes amid as diplomatic contacts between Iran and the US continued in New York.

Trump said on Tuesday that US officials had held a three-hour meeting with members of the Iranian delegation and described it as "very good" and "very productive". US special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner were involved on the American side, while Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi represented Tehran.

There was, however, some difference in how the meeting was described. Witkoff said US officials held lengthy talks through mediators who moved between the two delegations, while Iranian state media confirmed contact between Araghchi and Witkoff. Trump said the discussions showed momentum towards a possible agreement.

"It was a good meeting ... It's to their advantage to make a deal," Trump said.

"I can't imagine why they wouldn't want to do it," he said, adding that the alternatives ranged from a potential agreement to "obliteration".

Iran has also linked any reopening of the Strait of Hormuz to concrete steps by Washington. According to Iranian state media, Tehran has demanded the lifting of the US naval blockade, the release of frozen Iranian assets and an end to the war across what it calls all "resistance" fronts.

A senior Iranian official separately told Reuters that Tehran could reopen the waterway within a week if Washington eased military pressure and lifted its blockade of Iranian ports. Iran had stated that its delegation in New York has authority to pursue diplomacy.- EndsWith inputs from agenciesPublished By: Satyam SinghPublished On: Sep 23, 2026 20:33 IST