Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian addressed the 81st United Nations (UN) General Assembly. Responding to US President Donald Trump's characterization of Iran as "terrorist" in his address to the UN General Assembly yesterday, Pezeshkian argued that the real terror is carried out through attacks on Iran, stating, "We have been victims of terrorism."
Pezeshkian displayed photographs of former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who lost his life in US attacks on Iran, and students who died in a school attack in Minab. The Iranian President said, "I come from an Iran where our Supreme Leader was assassinated without any legal framework or justification. I come from an Iran where a school was bombed. Do you see these children? These children died under bombs using weapons used by the US and Israel. They were innocent and had committed no crime. Our innocent people were the target of cowardly attacks imposed on our country. We defended ourselves at the highest level. The US and Israel attacked us with the latest technology. They hit us, but we did not kneel. We retaliated, but we did not hit civilians. They, however, targeted our universities, health centers, schools, and hospitals," he said.
"We only desire to live independently"
Stating that all attacks against Iran are "illegal," Pezeshkian said, "On the day I took office as President, they assassinated (former Hamas Political Bureau Chief) Ismail Haniyeh in Iran. Israel targets any neighborhood in any city in any state, carrying out assassinations like a real terrorist. More than 80 thousand innocent civilians have been brutally killed in Gaza. They are committing genocide using the so-called technology they possess. Then they label others as terrorists. Are we the source of instability? We only desire to live independently," he said.
Expressing that the US and Israel do not comply with any international legal rules, Pezeshkian said, "We have received our answer. We need power. Because a people who cannot defend themselves will be trampled upon in today's world. We live in a world where those who hold power, instead of thinking about humanity, justice, fairness, and democracy, have effectively turned into the guardians and architects of instability and destruction," he said.
Reacting to Iran being labeled as "terrorist," Pezeshkian said that his country has "not attacked any country or territory" for 200 years, and that Iran cannot be accused of being a source of instability in the region.
"No to nuclear weapons"
Emphasizing in his address that Iran must be strong in order not to be threatened, Pezeshkian said, "Our defense systems are built in such a way that no one can think that bombing Iranian cities will go unanswered. This is the reason we possess military power. It is for defense."
Stating that Iran's pursuit of nuclear technology is also for welfare purposes and peaceful, the Iranian leader said, "It is unacceptable for nuclear technology to be the monopoly of only a handful of countries. We will not bow our heads and we will not give up this right of ours."
The Iranian President said, "No to nuclear weapons. As for peaceful nuclear technology, there should be no restrictions. Peace will not be achieved on the battlefield, but they need to provide the necessary security to the Iranian people and nation. We are seeking cooperation to ensure security," he said.
Expressing that they are in a region where war knows no borders and crises spread to neighboring countries, Pezeshkian said, "For this reason, Iran does not see its neighbors as rivals in the field of security. We want to have strong neighbors," he said.
"They are depriving us of access to our own waterway"
Touching upon the Strait of Hormuz, the Iranian leader said, "We cannot allow some countries to move freely and benefit from the waters in the Strait of Hormuz, while at the same time using this waterway to impose aggression against us, to impose insecurity on us, and to prevent our access to our own waterways. They are depriving us of access to our own waterway. In return, they continue to supply missiles and lethal military technology to bring insecurity to all countries around this waterway. We will not bow to this. The expansion of war does not bring security. Chaos cannot be created for coastal countries seeking maritime security," he said.
Addressing the planners and perpetrators of the attacks against Iran, Pezeshkian said, "They tested Iran's power and determination. But they learned that Iran cannot be forced to surrender," he said.
Pezeshkian stated, "They imposed war on us, but we are proving that we are not afraid of a defensive war, and we will defend our beloved Iran, our homeland, until our last breath."
"Nuclear weapons are in Israel, but inspectors are in Iran"
Expressing that international inspectors are asked to come to Iran despite Israel possessing nuclear bombs, Pezeshkian said, "Israel has brutally slaughtered more than 70 thousand innocent people in Gaza. Iran was bombed while at the negotiating table. The bombs are in Israel's hands. Israel is not a party to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. Throughout its shameful history, it has not allowed even a single inspection. Despite this, it is rewarded with the means to hit any capital it wants in the region. I repeat. Nuclear weapons are in Israel, but inspectors are in Iran. Israel is committing massacres, but sanctions are applied to Iran. This is a real tragedy," he said.
Pezeshkian said, "They kill, and we are punished and subjected to sanctions. Patients, innocent people, the poor, the most vulnerable segments of our society are the targets of these sanctions. This is what the US wants to do to all countries; to sacrifice a country's people to achieve its illegitimate goals. If we want real peace and stability, we must apply the same standard to everyone. We want equal rights," he said.
"We are ready for negotiations, but we will not accept the language of force"
Returning to US President Trump's statements yesterday, Pezeshkian said, "Anyone who is an expert on international law, dialogue, diplomacy, and basic human standards will see that everything said about our country is contrary to the essence of the UN and the spirit of the UN Charter. He (Trump) should know that the resistance of the Iranian people will only increase in the face of sanctions, pressure, and increasing bullying," he said.
The Iranian President concluded, "We will never bow our heads, we will not kneel. There is something Mr. Trump and those who try to bully us need to understand about Iran. We are ready for dialogue, diplomacy, and negotiations, but we will not accept the language of force."
News Source: 12punto
