Iranian President Rejects US Accusations, Defends Nuclear Rights at UN

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian used his UN General Assembly speech to reject US terrorism accusations, defend Iran's nuclear rights, and refuse to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, prompting the US delegate to walk out. Pezeshkian cited the assassination of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and alleged US-Israeli attacks on Iranian schools and hospitals, while insisting Iran avoided civilian casualties. He also rejected US demands to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, linking access to ending regional aggression. The speech followed President Trump's prior UN address questioning whether to "annihilate" Iran, and came nearly seven months into a conflict with at least 3,000 Iranian and 19 American deaths reported.