NEW YORK (Dunya News) - Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has accused the United States and Israel of waging war against Iran and targeting civilians, as he addressed the United Nations General Assembly.
At the beginning of his speech, Pezeshkian displayed images of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and children killed in a US strike on a school in Minab.
US representatives walked out of the General Assembly during his address.
Pezeshkian alleged that the United States had targeted women and children during the conflict and attacked schools, hospitals and civilian infrastructure.
He also alleged that cluster bombs were used against children in Iran during the war.
The Iranian president accused the US of declaring Iran a terrorist state despite what he described as Iran itself being a victim of terrorism.
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He said the US and Israel had carried out what he called “cowardly” attacks without respecting international law.
Pezeshkian said Iran had not surrendered and had the right to defend itself without seeking permission from other countries.
He argued that powerful nations were responsible for creating instability and destruction, adding that peace could not be achieved through war.
President @drpezeshkian presented documented proof of the US' crimes in Iran to the world. pic.twitter.com/cmImCR34s1
— IRNA News Agency (@IrnaEnglish) September 23, 2026Addressing Iran’s nuclear programme, Pezeshkian said Tehran sought nuclear energy, not nuclear weapons, and maintained that peaceful nuclear technology was essential to the country’s development.
He said Iran would not accept restrictions on what he described as its right to peaceful nuclear technology.
On the Strait of Hormuz, Pezeshkian said Iran would not allow the waterway to be used to facilitate attacks against the country.
He said Iran wanted strong relations with its neighbours and did not regard them as security rivals.
Pezeshkian also accused Israel of genocide in Gaza, adding to his broader criticism of Israeli military operations in the region.