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Pezeshkian: UNGA chance for Iran to present ‘clear, principled positions’
President Masoud Pezeshkian commended on Tuesday the UN General Assembly as an excellent opportunity for Iran to present its “clear and principled positions.”
Pezeshkian made the remarks before leaving Tehran for New York to take part in the 80th session of the UN General Assembly on September 23-29, where he will also hold meetings with leaders of various countries and will also meet with Iranians and experts abroad.
Since the United States’ withdrawal from the 2015 nuclear agreement between Iran and world powers in 2018, relations between Tehran and Western countries, mainly the European parties to the nuclear agreement, have seen a significant decline due to the West’s non-compliance with its commitments under the deal and its pressure on Iran to accept their excessive demands.
Since then, the West has resorted to illegal sanctions to reach its goals. The restrictions caused by the sanctions on Iran have created many economic problems for the country.
During his speech at Tehran’s Mehrabad Airport, Pezeshkian said that Iran’s position is clear. He said that the Islamic Republic insists on the principles of peace, security, justice, and humanity.
The Iranian president noted that while this year’s theme is ‘Convergence and Progress’, what the world actually observes in global affairs and the conduct of major powers is “nothing but unilateralism and hegemony.”
Pezeshkian expressed the “truly painful” reality of children dying in Gaza, condemning the nations that “readily” support and supply arms to Israel’s daily bombardment.
He questioned the international response to such crimes, asking if “convergence” means everyone must be killed to conform to the will of a single power, and affirmed that all people have the right “to utilize and benefit from everything God has given.”
Pezeshkian said that while nations “must sit together and engage in dialogue to understand one another,” it is impossible to talk to someone who “wants to be coercive, bullying, mischievous, or destructive.”
“It is not the case that only Israel should have security; the security of the entire world’s people must be preserved,” he said, vowing to use the “exceptional opportunity” of the UN to ensure Iran’s beliefs are “heard clearly by the world in New York.”
The theme of this year’s debate, “Better together: 80 years and more for peace, development and human rights,” reflects the anniversary of the UN’s foundation and underscores the call for renewed global commitment to multilateralism, solidarity, and shared action for people and planet.
In an X post on Sunday, Mehdi Sanaei, the Iranian president’s political advisor, said Pezeshkian is set to deliver his speech at the UNGA on Wednesday morning local time.
Earlier on Tuesday, the Iranian president also attended a ceremony at a school in Tehran to mark the beginning of the new school year in the country.
He said students should help build the country by acquiring knowledge, science, and skills, and added that the government will strive to provide all the necessary conditions for the success of all students in the country.
The new school year in Iran begins the first day of Mehr — the seventh month of the Iranian calendar year, which usually falls on September 23.