At the United Nations General Assembly, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian delivered a speech that included strong criticisms of Israel, particularly regarding its occupation of Palestinian lands. He also condemned Israel’s activities and specifically the rhetoric surrounding the concept 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,” he stated.
Pezeshkian accused Israel of prioritizing force over diplomatic solutions. He stated, “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 also took the opportunity to reiterate Iran’s commitment to not developing nuclear weapons, stating “I hereby declare once more before this assembly that Iran has never sought and will never seek to build a nuclear bomb.”
Moreover, Pezeshkian addressed the actions of the UK, France, and Germany, condemning their attempts to reimpose UN sanctions on Iran due to its nuclear program. He alleged that they acted in bad faith and violated their obligations under the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). He explained, “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.”
The remarks were made on the second day of the UN General Assembly’s annual General Debate, where leaders discuss key international issues.