Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian struck a defiant tone during his address to the United Nations General Assembly on Wednesday, declaring that the Islamic Republic will not surrender or abandon its nuclear program despite President Trump’s military and economic pressure.
“He must know that the resistance of the Iranian people will only increase in the face of sanctions, increased pressure, increased bullying,” Pezeshkian told the assembly.
The U.S. representative had walked out earlier during the Iranian president’s speech.
Pezeshkian’s remarks came after Trump told the global body that Tehran faces a choice: reach a deal with the U.S. to end the more than six-month war, or face “annihilation.”
“We will never bow our head or bend at the knee,” Pezeshkian said.
The Iranian leader insisted that Tehran remains open to talks, but not under threat.
“Iran must be understood by Mr. Trump and those who seek to bully us that we are ready for dialogue and diplomacy and negotiations without accepting the language of force,” he said.
Addressing Trump’s threats to wipe out Iran, Pezeshkian argued that “everything uttered about our country goes against the very essence and charter and the spirit of the United Nations.”
He also reiterated Iran’s longstanding position that it does not seek a nuclear weapon, while rejecting any constraints on its pursuit of nuclear technology.
“We say it clearly: no nuclear weapons and no limitations to peaceful nuclear technology,” Pezeshkian said.
His claims come as Iran faces mounting international scrutiny over its nuclear activities. Earlier this month, the U.N.’s nuclear watchdog reported Iran to the Security Council for noncompliance with its nuclear safeguard agreements, marking the first such censure in 20 years.
In September 2025, the Security Council triggered a snapback of sanctions on Iran amid restrictions on monitoring its nuclear program and a deadlock in negotiations with the U.S. at the time.
Trump has said his war against Iran is focused on preventing the Islamic Republic from obtaining a nuclear weapon. However, a sweeping military operation and economic pressure campaign have so far failed to force Tehran’s capitulation.
Iran, meanwhile, has managed to hold the global energy market hostage and inflict economic pain, particularly in the U.S., where gas and diesel prices have been rising.
Trump has predicted that Iran will reach an agreement with the U.S. after the midterm elections, suggesting Tehran is waiting to see whether he will be in a weakened position if Republicans lose their majorities in the House and Senate.
The president dismissed that notion during his U.N. address.
“I gave absolutely no credence and will not give credence to the election when it comes to Iran,” Trump said.
Diplomatic efforts are continuing behind the scenes. On Tuesday, Trump’s negotiating envoys, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, held indirect talks with Iranian officials on the sidelines of the global summit.
In a post on X, Witkoff said he hopes the “lengthy” talks “will prove constructive and promising.”
The dueling speeches at the U.N. highlighted the high stakes of the standoff. Trump laid out a stark ultimatum for Tehran, while Pezeshkian insisted Iran will not yield to pressure, even as his government says it remains open to negotiations.
