An official from the US delegation walked out of the UN General Assembly as Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian delivered a speech responding angrily to comments by US President Donald Trump.
Key facts
- A US delegation official walked out as Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian began his UN General Assembly speech, according to Al Jazeera.
- Pezeshkian said the US president had described Iranians as terrorists, adding: 'We have been the victims of terrorism.'
- The exchange came hours before Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was due to address the assembly.
- Zelenskyy and Ukraine's foreign minister Andrii Sybiha had not commented publicly, according to the Guardian.
An official from the United States delegation walked out of the UN General Assembly as Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian began his address, according to Al Jazeera.
Pezeshkian used his speech to respond angrily to remarks made by US President Donald Trump. The Iranian leader said the US president had described Iranians as terrorists, telling the assembly: ‘US president described us as terrorists. We have been the victims of terrorism,’ as reported by the Guardian.
Al Jazeera reported that the US envoy’s departure came as Pezeshkian criticised the war on Iran during his address to the assembly.
The confrontation unfolded just hours before Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was scheduled to deliver his own speech to the UN General Assembly. The Guardian noted that Zelenskyy was likely to reflect on recent developments during his remarks.
As of the reports, there had been no public comment from Zelenskyy or Ukraine’s foreign minister Andrii Sybiha, according to the Guardian.
The events took place amid a busy day at the UN General Assembly, with addresses from multiple world leaders drawing attention to ongoing global tensions.
Why it matters
Walkouts and sharp exchanges at the UN General Assembly highlight the depth of tensions between the United States and Iran on the world's most prominent diplomatic stage. Such moments can shape how key powers engage with one another and signal the state of international relations to a global audience.
Frequently asked questions
What did Iran's president say at the UN General Assembly?
According to the Guardian, President Masoud Pezeshkian said the US president had described Iranians as terrorists and stated: 'We have been the victims of terrorism.'
Who walked out during the speech?
An official from the US delegation walked out as Pezeshkian began his address, according to Al Jazeera.
Was Zelenskyy involved in this exchange?
No. The Guardian reported that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was due to speak hours later and had not commented publicly at the time of the reports.