Iranian President Massoud Pezeshkian spoke at the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Wednesday, accusing the United States and Israel of making Iran a "victim of terrorism" through attacks. He denied that Iran has ever acted as an aggressor, emphasizing that the country has only defended itself against external threats. Pezeshkian also claimed that the former Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was "assassinated without any justification or legal framework" at the start of the conflict, though this claim has not been independently verified. He showed images of children killed in an airstrike on a school in Minab, which he attributed to U.S. and Israeli forces. A UN investigation suggested there is reasonable evidence that the United States may have been responsible for the attack, which could constitute a war crime. Pezeshkian responded to U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent warning that he would "annihilate" Iran if a deal is not reached, stating that Iran would "never bend the knee" or "bow our head." He called for dialogue and diplomacy, insisting that Iran is ready to negotiate but without the "language of force." During the speech, the U.S. delegation left the meeting when Pezeshkian mentioned civilian casualties, a reaction mirroring Iran’s response to Trump’s earlier speech. Indirect talks between Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff, mediated by Qatar, took place on Tuesday. These were the first such discussions since June, but Iran has set seven preconditions for resuming formal talks, including an end to the U.S. blockade of Iranian ships and ports and the release of frozen Iranian assets. The Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway for global oil shipments, has been effectively closed since the conflict began, causing a rise in global energy prices. Pezeshkian reiterated Iran’s commitment to a peaceful civil nuclear program but warned that the country would not limit its nuclear activities. He criticized the U.S. for double standards, pointing out that Israel possesses nuclear weapons while Iran faces sanctions. He also emphasized that Iran would not accept the use of the Strait of Hormuz for aggression against the country or to create insecurity in the region. The U.S. has imposed secondary sanctions on countries that allow Iranian flights, prompting Iran to negotiate with neighboring nations to maintain an air bridge. As the situation remains tense, both sides face pressure to resolve the conflict, especially with U.S. midterm elections approaching.