Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian used his platform at the United Nations General Assembly to launch a scathing critique of Israel, specifically addressing its occupation of Palestinian territories. He expressed strong disapproval of Israel’s conduct, highlighting the rhetoric surrounding the establishment of a “greater Israel.”
“After nearly two years of genocide, mass starvation, the perpetuation of apartheid within the occupied territories and aggression against its neighbours, the ludicrous and delusional scheme of a ‘greater Israel’ is being proclaimed with brazenness by the highest echelons of that regime,” Pezeshkian stated.
He further charged that Israel has abandoned diplomatic solutions, opting instead for military force. “Israel and its sponsors no longer even content themselves with normalisation through political means. Rather, they impose their presence through naked force, and have styled it peace through strength,” he remarked.
In his speech, Pezeshkian reaffirmed Iran’s position on nuclear weapons. “I hereby declare once more before this assembly that Iran has never sought and will never seek to build a nuclear bomb,” he declared.
Pezeshkian also directed his criticism toward Europe, condemning the UK, France, and Germany’s recent attempts to reinstate United Nations sanctions against Iran due to its nuclear program. He accused them of acting in bad faith and disregarding their legal commitments under the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). He asserted that, “They sought to portray Iran’s lawful remedial measures taken in response to the United States’ withdrawal from the JCPOA and to Europe’s breach and other incapacity as a gross violation.”
These statements were made during the second day of the UN General Assembly’s annual General Debate, an event where world leaders converge to discuss pressing global concerns.