Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has accused Western powers of applying double standards to Iran’s nuclear programme, arguing that Israel possesses nuclear weapons while Iran continues to face international inspections and sanctions.
Speaking at the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York on Wednesday, September 23, Pezeshkian said international trust could not be achieved through rhetoric alone and called for an end to what he described as unequal treatment among nations.
“The nuclear bomb is in Israel, but the inspectors are in Iran,” Pezeshkian said, referring to Israel’s undeclared nuclear arsenal and Iran’s long-standing engagement with international nuclear inspections.
He also criticised Israel’s refusal to join the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and accused Western countries of providing Israel with military support while imposing sanctions on Iran.
Iran Says It Was Victim of Attacks
Pezeshkian rejected accusations that Iran was responsible for terrorism and described his country as a victim of attacks.
“We are not terrorists; we are the victims of terrorism,” he told the assembly.
The Iranian president displayed photographs of people he said were killed during US and Israeli attacks on Iran, including children killed in the bombing of a school in Minab.
He also referred to an attack on the Iranian city of Lamerd, claiming that US forces used cluster munitions against a sports facility where children were present.
Pezeshkian accused the United States and Israel of targeting schools, hospitals, universities, bridges and other infrastructure, saying such actions violated international law.
Iran Rejects Calls to Give Up Nuclear Technology
On Iran’s nuclear programme, Pezeshkian said Tehran would not accept restrictions that prevented it from developing peaceful nuclear technology.
He said nuclear technology was important for medical treatment, agriculture, industry and electricity production.
“Iran does not consider nuclear weapons a factor of security, but it will not relinquish its right to science, industry and peaceful energy,” he said.
Pezeshkian added that Iran was prepared to reach an agreement that would provide credible assurances about the peaceful nature of its nuclear programme while protecting what Tehran considers its legitimate rights.
Pezeshkian Warns Over Strait of Hormuz
The Iranian president also addressed tensions surrounding the Strait of Hormuz, saying the security of international shipping could not be separated from the security of countries bordering the waterway.
He criticised what he described as the deployment of hostile naval forces in the region and argued that increased military activity would not create lasting security.
Pezeshkian said Iran wanted sufficient military strength to defend itself but rejected the idea that Tehran sought to dominate neighbouring countries.
“Iran must be powerful enough that its survival and progress are not threatened, responsible enough not to use its power for domination, and far-sighted enough not to seek its own security in the insecurity of its neighbours,” he said.
Gaza and Palestine
Pezeshkian devoted part of his speech to the situation in Gaza, saying lasting peace in West Asia would not be possible without what he described as justice for Palestinians.
He condemned Israel’s military campaign in Gaza and criticised Western governments for their support of Israel.
The Iranian president also called for regional countries to resolve their disputes without excessive intervention by outside powers.
Iran Says It Will Not Be Forced to Surrender
Pezeshkian said Iran had experienced the consequences of war but remained committed to both self-defence and negotiations.
“Iran has never initiated any war and has always demonstrated its commitment to the negotiating table,” he said.
He added that Iran would continue defending itself while remaining open to diplomacy aimed at achieving peace.
Call for a New International Order
Pezeshkian concluded by calling for an international system based on equality among nations, justice and respect for international law.
He warned that a world in which military power replaces diplomacy and international law is applied selectively would become increasingly unstable.
“Iran preserves its power. We call the world not to another war, but to peace and justice,” he said.
He urged countries to pursue collective security, arguing that lasting peace could only be achieved when security and justice applied to all nations.
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