Iran's President Pezeshkian vows to defend country's positions at UN

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian departed for New York on Tuesday to attend the U.N. General Assembly, vowing to "firmly defend" his country's positions amid ongoing tensions with the U.S. and Israel. Pezeshkian, the highest-ranking Iranian official to visit U.S. soil since the West Asia war began in late February, will address the UN on Wednesday. The U.S. approved his visit but imposed movement restrictions, while denying visas to his communications team, a move Iran called "hostile." The conflict centers on the Strait of Hormuz, where Iran has disrupted shipping and demanded passage approval, prompting a U.S. counterblockade of Iranian ports and increased economic pressure.