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Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian defended Tehran’s conduct in its war with the United States on Wednesday, taking aim at President Donald Trump and vowing that Iran would not surrender during a fiery address before world leaders at the United Nations General Assembly.
The speech follows months of fighting, failed diplomatic efforts and mounting international pressure on Tehran, giving Pezeshkian a high-profile platform to defend Iran’s actions and challenge the U.S. account of the conflict.
“America and Israel attacked us, equipped with the latest technology and weapons systems, and our people stood steadfast. Yes, they did hit us, but we did not bend the knee. We did not bow our head,” said Pezeshkian. “Those who are terrorists and train and protect terrorists describe us as such. We have only defended ourselves. We are not terrorists.”
Fox News Digital compiled the top moments from Pezeshkian’s speech and the developments unfolding both inside and outside the U.N.
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Masoud Pezeshkian, Iran’s president, during the United Nations General Assembly in New York, US, on Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026. The theme of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly is “Restoring trust, managing transformation: A United Nations that delivers for all.” (John Lamparski/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Protesters gather outside UN, jeering the Iranian president’s visit
Pezeshkian’s fiery attacks on Trump and the United States came amid a hostile reception in New York City, where protesters gathered to denounce the Iranian government as its president addressed world leaders at the United Nations.
Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani joined a “Free Iran” rally outside the U.N., where protesters denounced Tehran as Pezeshkian addressed world leaders.
“Free Iran” protests are held outside the UN during the United Nations General Assembly Wednesday. (Ted Goodman, Goodman & Co)
Demonstrators waved Iranian flags while denouncing Iran’s government over its repression of political dissent, restrictions on women’s rights and treatment of opposition figures.
“Free Iran” protests are held outside the UN during the United Nations General Assembly Wednesday. (Ted Goodman, Goodman & Co)
US delegate walks out as Iran vows ‘we will not bend the knee’ at UN
As the emcee announced Pezeshkian’s impending speech, audible boos erupted from the protest crowd outside the UN as the leader walked out onto the stage.
A member of the U.S. delegation walked out of the General Assembly hall after Pezeshkian began criticizing the United States during his speech, Fox News Digital previously reported.
Fox News Digital reached out to the U.S. Mission for comment.
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Pezeshkian used his speech to defend Iran’s conduct during the war and take aim at the United States and Israel.
“The United States using weapons with multiple warheads targeted that sports hall. … They martyred, assassinated our scientists, our men, women and children,” he said.
“This is what the United States seeks to do with all countries — [to] sacrifice the population of a country in order to achieve [its] goals,” Pezeshkian added.
CENTCOM has denied that U.S. forces carried out the strike on the sports hall in Lamerd, saying American forces did not strike the city or anywhere within 30 miles of it on the opening day of Operation Epic Fury.
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“Free Iran” protests are held outside the UN during the United Nations General Assembly Wednesday. (Ted Goodman, Goodman & Co)
Pezeshkian said that the U.S. and Israel have learned that Iran cannot be made to surrender, reiterating that Iran is “not afraid of fighting” and would defend the country “until our last breath.”
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During a moment of his speech, Pezeshkian held up props showing photos of the late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and Iranian schoolchildren killed during the beginning of the conflict.
Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian speaks as he holds a picture of Ali Khamenei, former Supreme Leader of Iran, during the 81st United Nations General Assembly at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, on September 23, 2026. (TIMOTHY A. CLARY / AFP via Getty Images)
“Our innocent people have been the targets of cowardly attacks and aggressions imposed upon our country. And we defended ourselves with utmost strength. America and Israel attacked us,” Pezeshkian said.
He also used the opportunity to take shots at Trump, accusing him of “bullying” Iran.
“More must be understood by Mr. Trump and those who seek to bully us, that we are ready for dialog and diplomacy and negotiations without accepting the language of force,” Pezeshkian said.
Trump addressed leaders Tuesday and said he faced a “big decision” between reaching a deal with Iran or, in his words, “annihilat[ing] the Islamic Republic,” before U.S. officials later met with Iranian officials.
“Going back to the words of the president of the United States yesterday … everything uttered about our country was against the very essence and charter in the spirit of the United Nations,” Pezeshkian said. “He must know that the resistance of the Iranian people will increase in the face of sanctions, and increased bullying, because all of us under law will never bow our head or bend at the knee.”
Administration officials quickly pushed back on Pezeshkian’s attacks and disputed his account of the conflict.
“I think sponsoring terrorist organizations in the region to attack your neighbors, attack energy infrastructure, attack civilian sites is a violation of the UN system. So I don’t know what’s standing. Iran has to lecture anyone on human rights or the international system. When they habitually violate it,” said Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Rubio added that Iran has no credibility defending the international order because its regime has repeatedly violated it.
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“The Iranian regime has murdered thousands of its own people, killed Americans overseas, executed acts of terrorism in the Strait of Hormuz, and launched indiscriminate attacks against its neighbors in the region,” White House deputy press secretary Anna Kelly told Fox News Digital.
“The President is courageously ensuring that such an evil country never possesses a nuclear weapon, which will make the entire world safer and more stable,” she added.