Pezeshkian Reaffirms at UN: Iran Has Never Sought Nuclear Weapons
New York, The Gulf Observer: Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, addressing the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday, reiterated that Iran has never sought to develop nuclear weapons and will not pursue such capabilities in the future.
Emphasizing that the moral foundation of all religions is the golden rule of treating others as one would wish to be treated, Pezeshkian argued that the world has failed to uphold this principle. He cited the devastation of Gaza, repeated violations of Lebanon’s sovereignty, destruction of Syria’s infrastructure, assaults on Yemen, and the starvation of children under blockade as examples of grave injustices, accusing the United States of backing these actions under the guise of “self-defense.”
Pezeshkian condemned a “brutal” attack on Iran in June, describing Israeli and U.S. airstrikes on cities, homes, and infrastructure as flagrant violations of international law. He said the strikes, which killed civilians, children, scientists, and national elites, took place while Tehran was engaged in diplomatic efforts, severely undermining trust and peace prospects. Displaying images of victims, the president linked these attacks to what he called a broader pattern of killings and destruction by Israel, particularly in Gaza.
The Iranian leader warned that unchecked violations could set dangerous precedents, including attacks on safeguarded nuclear facilities, assassination attempts on UN member state leaders, and systematic targeting of journalists and experts. He stressed that the Iranian people, resilient throughout history, would not yield to aggression.
Turning to the ongoing crisis in Gaza, Pezeshkian denounced what he termed nearly two years of genocide, starvation, and apartheid in the enclave, alongside Israeli aggression against neighboring states. He criticized Israel’s leadership for advancing a “Greater Israel” project, which he called “absurd and delusional,” and warned that such ambitions threatened all regional nations.
Pezeshkian said Israel and its allies had shifted from pursuing political normalization to imposing their presence through “naked force,” a strategy he described as “peace through strength.” In contrast, he underscored Iran’s vision of a powerful region based on collective security, cooperation, and “strength through peace.”
Reaffirming Iran’s longstanding call for a Middle East free of weapons of mass destruction, the president criticized nuclear-armed powers for violating the Non-Proliferation Treaty while modernizing their arsenals and leveling baseless accusations against Tehran.
Pezeshkian also censured Britain, France, and Germany for failing to uphold their commitments over the past decade and, under U.S. pressure, seeking to reimpose canceled UN Security Council resolutions against Iran. He stressed that such moves lacked international legitimacy, had been opposed by several Council members, and would not win wider global support.
