Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian delivered a defiant address to the UN General Assembly, blaming the United States and Israel for global instability, one day after President Trump threatened to 'annihilate' Iran.
Key facts
- Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian addressed the UN General Assembly in New York City.
- He began his speech by holding up photos of children he said were killed by U.S. and Israeli bombs.
- The address came a day after President Trump threatened from the same podium to 'annihilate' Iran.
- NPR described the address as a rare wartime speech.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian used his address to the United Nations General Assembly in New York City to blame the United States and Israel for global instability, according to CNBC.
Pezeshkian opened his remarks by holding up photos of children he said were killed by U.S. and Israeli bombs, CNBC reported. The gesture set the tone for a speech aimed squarely at Washington and its ally.
The address came a day after President Trump, speaking from the same podium, threatened to ‘annihilate’ Iran, according to NPR.
NPR characterized Pezeshkian’s remarks as a rare wartime speech, underscoring the heightened tensions between the two countries as their leaders traded accusations at the world body.
The back-to-back appearances placed the escalating standoff between the United States and Iran at the center of this year’s General Assembly, with each side using the international forum to press its case.
Why it matters
Direct exchanges between Iranian and U.S. leaders at the United Nations signal deepening tensions between the two countries. When rhetoric escalates to threats of annihilation, it raises concerns about the potential for wider conflict with global consequences.
Frequently asked questions
What did Iran's president say at the UN?
According to CNBC, President Masoud Pezeshkian blamed the United States and Israel for global instability and began his speech by holding up photos of children he said were killed by U.S. and Israeli bombs.
What had President Trump said before Pezeshkian's speech?
NPR reported that Pezeshkian spoke a day after President Trump threatened from the same UN podium to 'annihilate' Iran.
Where did the speech take place?
Pezeshkian addressed the UN General Assembly in New York City, according to CNBC.