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Pezeshkian vows to firmly defend Iran’s positions at UNGA
US open to meeting Iran at United Nations: Rubio
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Tuesday vowed to “firmly defend” the country’s positions and convey Iran’s strength to the world as he departed for New York to attend the 81st United Nations General Assembly meeting.
Pezeshkian underlined the hardships endured by the Iranian people and servicemen on the path of preserving their unity and defending the nation in the face of foreign aggression.
“We emerged from it with our heads held high, and this is a source of dignity and pride for all of us. Therefore, we will firmly defend our positions in international forums,” he said.
“The UN General Assembly is a place where we can convey our positions, our grievances, and our strength to the world,” he said.
The president noted that this General Assembly meeting’s theme was the restoration of trust among nations, lamenting that trust had been undermined on the world stage and international frameworks disregarded.
Pezeshkian said some countries use their power to pressure others and violate the rights of nations.
“At the General Assembly, I will speak about the grievances of the Iranian people, the crimes committed by our enemies, and the mistrust they have created. We have entered negotiations several times and signed an agreement, yet they acted despite the negotiations and understandings reached.”
Addressing the latest round of unprovoked US-Israeli aggression that targeted the country from February 28 until April 7, including attacks on purely civilian targets, the president asked, “Is attacking homes and hospitals a fight against terrorism?”
Potential talks
Pezeshkian is scheduled to address the General Assembly on Wednesday. During the visit, he will also meet and hold talks with some heads of state and officials from countries participating in the assembly. A high-ranking Iranian delegation is accompanying President Pezeshkian.
US President Donald Trump has signaled he is open to meeting Pezeshkian in New York.
The potential encounter would come at a striking moment as Iran has sent Washington a list of conditions for renewed negotiations while Iranian military leaders warn that any new US attack would trigger retaliation against American bases and interests across the region.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio also told NBC News that the US is open to a meeting with Iran at the United Nations.
“We’re open to that. I don’t think anything is scheduled at this point, but we’re certainly open to something like that – especially if it has the prospects of leading to something positive and ultimately achieving the goal of what this is all about,” Rubio said in an interview with the Today show.