Iran's president condemns US 'bully' but signals openness to talks at UN

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian used his UN General Assembly speech to condemn the US as a "bully" and "terrorist" while signaling Tehran's openness to dialogue, though he rejected negotiations conducted "with the language of force." Pezeshkian's address followed a surprise three-hour meeting between Iran's foreign minister and US envoy Steve Witkoff, which both sides called constructive, and came after President Trump said he was weighing whether to "annihilate" Iran. The Iranian leader accused Washington of terrorism for assassinating former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and displayed photos of dead schoolchildren, while insisting Iran had never started a war and sought only self-defense. Iran has set seven preconditions for talks, including an end to the war and naval blockade, and said the Strait of Hormuz could reopen within seven days if met. Tehran wants commercial shipping routed through Iranian-controlled waters, while the US faces pressure to lower oil prices before November midterm elections.