During his address to the United Nations General Assembly, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian leveled sharp criticism at Israel, focusing on its occupation of Palestinian territories and denouncing its actions, especially the rhetoric surrounding the creation of a “greater Israel.” He stated, “After nearly two years of genocide, mass starvation, the perpetuation of apartheid within the occupied territories and aggression against its neighbours, the ludicrous and delusional scheme of a ‘greater Israel’ is being proclaimed with brazenness by the highest echelons of that regime.”
Pezeshkian accused Israel of abandoning diplomacy in favor of using force. He added, “Israel and its sponsors no longer even content themselves with normalisation through political means. Rather, they impose their presence through naked force, and have styled it peace through strength.”
He also reiterated Iran’s stance on nuclear weapons, declaring before the assembly, “I hereby declare once more before this assembly that Iran has never sought and will never seek to build a nuclear bomb.”
Turning his attention to Europe, Pezeshkian strongly condemned recent efforts by the UK, France, and Germany to reimpose UN sanctions on Iran due to its nuclear program. He accused these countries of acting in bad faith and violating their legal obligations under the 2015 nuclear deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). He said, “They sought to portray Iran’s lawful remedial measures taken in response to the United States’ withdrawal from the JCPOA and to Europe’s breach and other incapacity as a gross violation.”
The remarks were delivered on the second day of the UN General Assembly’s annual General Debate, where global leaders convened to discuss critical international issues.
