Iran's Pezeshkian Accuses US and Israel of Attacks in UN Address as US Walks Out

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian accused the United States and Israel of attacking Iran during his UN General Assembly address, prompting a US diplomat to walk out, while declaring Iran refused to "bend the knee." Pezeshkian alleged strikes targeted civilians and infrastructure like schools and hospitals, citing the killing of Hamas official Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran and claiming over 80,000 civilians died in Gaza. He rejected terrorism labels, asserting Iran seeks peaceful cooperation and acted in self-defense. The remarks occurred during the UNGA's 81st session high-level debate in New York, running from September 22 to 28, where Pezeshkian framed Iran's actions as independent survival against international law violations.