Pezeshkian at UN defends nuclear rights, warns on Hormuz

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian defended Iran's nuclear program and rejected US and Israeli pressure during his UN General Assembly address on September 23, 2026, while warning over the Strait of Hormuz and signalling openness to dialogue. Pezeshkian asserted Iran's right to peaceful nuclear technology, refusing to surrender it under external pressure, and highlighted a double standard by noting Israel's un-inspected nuclear arsenal versus Iran's sanctions. He warned Iran would not accept restricted access to the Strait of Hormuz, which he called "our own waterway," and insisted regional disputes be settled without outside interference. Responding directly to President Donald Trump's earlier speech, Pezeshkian said sanctions and bullying would only increase Iranian resistance, but he closed by extending an offer of cooperation, stating Iran remains open to dialogue if negotiations are not conducted under the threat of force.