Wed Sep 25 02:38:45 UTC 2024: ## Iranian President Doubles Down on Anti-Israel Rhetoric at UNGA
**New York, NY** – Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian delivered a speech at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on Tuesday, using the platform to launch a scathing attack on Israel while attempting to portray Iran as a peaceful nation seeking dialogue and cooperation.
Despite touting a platform of reform and peace in his opening remarks, Pezeshkian quickly veered into a tirade against Israel, echoing Hamas propaganda and accusing the Israeli government of war crimes and genocide in Gaza. He condemned Israel’s self-defense measures and labeled its military operations as “legitimate military targets,” while portraying Palestinian resistance as a righteous struggle against oppression.
Pezeshkian conveniently avoided any mention of Hamas’s own atrocities against Israeli civilians, including the use of human shields, terror tunnels, and the abuse of hostages. Instead, he painted Iran as a victim of “threats, war, occupation, and sanctions,” claiming that his country has never initiated a war and has only defended itself against external aggression.
This assertion blatantly ignores Iran’s well-documented support for terrorist groups like Hezbollah, the Houthi rebels in Yemen, and Shiite militias in Iraq. Pezeshkian made no mention of these proxy forces or Iran’s role in arming and training them, despite their involvement in destabilizing regional conflicts and attacking international shipping.
He also criticized former US President Donald Trump for withdrawing from the 2015 nuclear deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), without acknowledging Iran’s own violations of the agreement that prompted Trump’s decision.
Pezeshkian further condemned US sanctions, demanding their unilateral removal and expressing his government’s willingness to “engage with JCPOA participants.” He avoided addressing recent complaints by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) regarding Iran’s lack of cooperation with its investigators and its continued pursuit of a larger stockpile of enriched uranium.
The Iranian president concluded his speech by calling for partnerships with global powers and neighbors based on “equal footing” and urged the US to lift sanctions, arguing that this would benefit the Iranian people and pave the way for more constructive agreements.
Pezeshkian’s speech is seen as a continuation of Iran’s longstanding policy of using international platforms to promote its own narrative and demonize Israel while deflecting blame for its own aggressive actions in the region.
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