Iran's President Delivers Defiant Speech Amid Ongoing Conflict

WHO:

Fox News - Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian

NBC News - Masoud Pezeshkian, President of Iran

WHAT:

CNN - Pezeshkian stated, "We cannot let some have free access and gain their interest from a waterway while at the same time using that waterway to impose their aggressions upon us."

Fox News - Pezeshkian claimed, "Our innocent people have been the targets of cowardly attacks and aggressions imposed upon our country. America and Israel attacked us."

Bloomberg - Pezeshkian reiterated that Iran is ready to resume talks about ending the near seven-month conflict with the US but will not respond to threats.

Bloomberg - Pezeshkian stated that Iran is ready to resume talks about ending the near seven-month conflict with the US but will not respond to threats.

Bloomberg - Pezeshkian emphasized that Iran won’t allow freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz while sanctions and a US blockade remain in place.

Fox News - Pezeshkian claimed, "We have only defended ourselves. We are not terrorists," during his address at the United Nations General Assembly.

Fox News - Pezeshkian held a picture, which he stated was from the Minab school that was hit by an airstrike, as he addressed the assembly.

CNN - Pezeshkian told world leaders, "We cannot let some have free access and gain their interest from a waterway while at the same time using that waterway to impose their aggressions upon us."

CNN - Pezeshkian's speech was characterized as a historic moment, being the first time a leader of a country at war with the United States has spoken at the assembly.

CNN - Pezeshkian stated that Iran "will not bow down" and emphasized that Iran will not yield on its nuclear program, missile defenses, or control of the Strait of Hormuz.

CNN - Pezeshkian's speech was characterized as one of the most anticipated at the United Nations gathering.

CNN - The US-Israeli war on Iran has turned into months of regional instability, following the killing of Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

CNN - Iran's Supreme National Security Council chief, Mohsen Rezaei, announced a new negotiating framework requiring Washington to take the first step for future talks.

CNN - Rezaei stated, "Under this new framework, the era of rhetoric and negotiations for their own sake has come to an end."

Fox News - Pezeshkian addressed the United Nations General Assembly, portraying Iran as a victim of U.S. aggression.

NBC News - Pezeshkian delivered a defiant speech at the United Nations General Assembly, marking the first time a leader of a country at war with the United States has spoken at the assembly.

WHERE:

Fox News - United Nations General Assembly, New York City

NBC News - United Nations General Assembly, New York City

WHEN:

NBC News - The speech occurred on Wednesday.

WHY:

CNN - Pezeshkian's remarks aimed to reassure hard-liners skeptical of Iranian officials negotiating in New York.

CNN - Rezaei's remarks aimed to reassure hard-liners skeptical of Iranian officials negotiating in New York.

Fox News - Pezeshkian's speech was framed as a response to perceived U.S. aggression against Iran.

HOW:

Fox News - Pezeshkian's address was characterized by a defiant tone amidst ongoing conflict with the United States.

Fox News - Trump and Iranian officials, including Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, engaged in discussions for roughly three hours on the sidelines of the General Assembly, characterized as productive.

CNN - Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi held at least two hours of talks with Trump’s peace envoy Steve Witkoff in New York, marking the first sign of diplomacy between the two nations since a previous agreement was signed over three months ago.

CNN - U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that the talks did not yield any major breakthrough, indicating that the Memorandum of Understanding from earlier in the year was no longer on the cards.

CNN - Iran's negotiating tactics will now require Washington's full implementation of Iran’s requirements as a precondition for any future talks.

NBC News - Pezeshkian's address was characterized by a defiant tone amidst ongoing conflict with the United States.

(UPDATED September 24, 2026 14:58 UTC)

Iran's Pezeshkian has made a strong statement, asserting that the country will not allow others to exploit waterways while simultaneously imposing aggression. He emphasized that innocent people in Iran have been targeted by attacks from America and Israel, and he confirmed that Iran is prepared to resume negotiations to end the ongoing conflict with the U.S., but will not respond to threats. His remarks were delivered with a defiant tone, aiming to reassure hard-liners who are skeptical of negotiations taking place in New York.

(UPDATED September 24, 2026 07:59 UTC)

Iran is prepared to resume talks aimed at ending the nearly seven-month conflict with the US, according to Pezeshkian, who also stated that the country will not respond to threats. He emphasized that Iran will not permit freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz as long as sanctions and a US blockade are in effect. Meanwhile, President Trump and Iranian officials, including Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, had a productive three-hour discussion on the sidelines of the General Assembly.

(UPDATED September 24, 2026 01:23 UTC)

During his address at the United Nations General Assembly, Pezeshkian asserted, "We have only defended ourselves. We are not terrorists," while holding a picture of a school hit by an airstrike. This speech marked a historic moment, as it was the first time a leader of a country at war with the United States has spoken at the assembly, where he also urged world leaders to prevent the exploitation of waterways for aggression. In related developments, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi engaged in two hours of talks with Trump’s peace envoy Steve Witkoff, although U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio noted that no major breakthroughs were achieved.

(UPDATED September 23, 2026 21:01 UTC)

Iran's Supreme National Security Council chief, Mohsen Rezaei, announced a new negotiating framework that mandates Washington to take the first step for any future talks, marking a significant shift in their approach. In a highly anticipated speech at the United Nations gathering, Rezaei emphasized that the era of rhetoric and negotiations for their own sake has come to an end, aiming to reassure hard-liners who are skeptical of negotiations. Meanwhile, Iran's Vice President, Pezeshkian, declared that the country "will not bow down" and will not yield on its nuclear program, missile defenses, or control of the Strait of Hormuz, amidst ongoing regional instability following the killing of Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

(UPDATED September 23, 2026 19:01 UTC)

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian delivered a defiant speech at the United Nations General Assembly in New York City, marking a historic moment as it was the first time a leader of a country at war with the United States has spoken at the assembly. In his address, Pezeshkian portrayed Iran as a victim of U.S. aggression, framing his remarks as a response to ongoing tensions between the two nations. The speech took place on Wednesday, highlighting the escalating conflict and Iran's stance in the international arena.