Iran ‘Did Not Bend the Knee’: President Masoud Pezeshkian Condemns USA and Israel at UNGA Amid US Walkout (Video)

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Wednesday accused the United States and Israel of launching attacks against Iran and said his country had refused to “bend the knee" despite the strikes, during his address to the United Nations General Assembly in New York. Mounting the rostrum during the annual high-level summit, Pezeshkian defended Tehran’s military stance as lawful self-defence and accused Western and regional adversaries of waging unlawful warfare against Iranian sovereign territory.

“They hit us, but we didn’t bend the knee. We did not bow our head," Pezeshkian said. As Pezeshkian began criticising the United States and Israel, the US diplomat walked out of the General Assembly hall, underscoring the severe diplomatic freeze between Washington and Tehran. Donald Trump Threatens To ‘Annihilate’ Iran at UNGA, Predicts Deal After Midterm Elections 2026.

Masoud Pezeshkian Condemns US and Israel at UNGA

BREAKING: US DELEGATION WALKS OUT DURING IRAN PRESIDENT'S UN SPEECH pic.twitter.com/GgQPDaOmLj

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Pezeshkian accused the US and Israel of targeting Iranian civilians and civilian infrastructure, including schools, universities, healthcare centres and hospitals. He also alleged that Iranian scientists, men, women and children had been killed in the attacks.

“I come from an Iran where, in truth, they bombed a school. These children perished under bombs with weapons used by the United States and Israel," he said. The Iranian president maintained that Tehran had acted in self-defence and rejected accusations that it had deliberately targeted civilian populations.

“They came into surrounding territories and targeted our universities, our healthcare centres, our schools, our hospitals, our infrastructures, all of it against international law," he said, demanding that the international community apply universal legal standards to military aggression in the region.

Condemnation of Haniyeh Assassination and Gaza Campaign

Pezeshkian also accused Israel of carrying out assassinations in Iran, referring to the killing of Hamas political chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran on the day of his inauguration as president.

“When I took over the responsibilities as president, they assassinated Ismail Haniyeh in Iran on the day of my inauguration," he said.

He further criticised Israel over its military campaign in Gaza, alleging that more than 80,000 civilians had been killed and accusing Israel of committing genocide. The remarks drew sharp attention across the assembly floor, amplifying diplomatic polarization over the ongoing Middle East conflict.

Rejection of Terrorism Labels and Defense of Independence

Pezeshkian also rejected allegations that Iran is a source of regional instability or terrorism, presenting his country's nuclear and scientific program as civilian-focused.

“We’re labeled terrorists. We do not seek power in order to attack or commit aggression. We seek energy for progress, not to threaten societies with weapons. And we wish to cooperate and collaborate for security," he said.

Pezeshkian questioned accusations against Iran, asking whether those carrying out attacks and what he described as acts of terrorism could simultaneously claim to be protectors of peace and stability.

“Are we the sources of instability? We only seek to live independently," he said. Pezeshkian’s remarks came during the ongoing 81st session of the UN General Assembly, whose high-level general debate is being held in New York from September 22 to September 28.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 23, 2026 08:24 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).