Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has rejected pressure from the United States, saying Tehran will not surrender while maintaining that Iran remains open to negotiations aimed at ending the ongoing conflict.
Speaking at the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Wednesday, Pezeshkian responded to US President Donald Trump’s warning that Iran could face further military action if an agreement is not reached. Reuters reported that Pezeshkian said Iran would not bow to pressure but continued to support a diplomatic solution.
Pezeshkian also made the Strait of Hormuz a central issue in his remarks, arguing that any agreement should address the US blockade affecting Iranian shipping and Tehran’s access to the strategic waterway.
Iran has previously indicated that it could reopen the Strait if Washington reduces military pressure and lifts its blockade. US and Iranian representatives also held indirect talks through mediators around the UN General Assembly, although officials said significant differences remain.
The US delegation left the General Assembly chamber at the beginning of Pezeshkian’s address. The US mission to the UN had not immediately issued a response to his speech, according to Reuters.
During his address, Pezeshkian accused the US and Israel of attacking Iranian civilians and displayed photographs connected to casualties Iran says resulted from the conflict. The US has disputed responsibility for some of the incidents cited by Tehran.
The Strait of Hormuz has become a major point of contention in the conflict because of its importance to international energy shipments. Iran and the US have different positions over the conditions required for restoring unrestricted commercial passage.
Despite the continuing disagreements, Iranian officials have said diplomacy remains possible. Reuters reported that a senior Iranian official said Tehran and Washington remained far apart on how to end the conflict but that negotiations should continue.
