Iran’s Pezeshkian condemns US threats, signals openness to diplomacy at UN

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian condemned US threats at the UN General Assembly on Wednesday while leaving the door open for diplomacy, responding to President Donald Trump's prior vow to annihilate the country. Pezeshkian called the US "terrorists" and displayed photos of slain officials and schoolgirls, but also extended an offer for cooperation, saying Iran seeks security for the region. Trump separately reported productive talks with Tehran, while Iran vowed to resist the US naval blockade in the Strait of Hormuz. Analysts noted the speech mixed defiance with a signal for a diplomatic off-ramp, though some critics said it lacked a bold new peace proposal. The expired June memorandum, which included a ceasefire and lifting the blockade, remains a potential basis for compromise.