Iran's president blames U.S., Israel for global instability in defiant UN speech

Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian addresses the 81st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) at UN headquarters in New York City, US, September 23, 2026. Mike Segar | Reuters Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian in a defiant speech to the United Nations on Wednesday blamed the the U.S. and Israel for stoking global instability while accusing them of launching illegal attacks on his country's civilians and infrastructure. Pezeshkian began his address to the UN General Assembly in New York City by holding up photos of children he said were killed by U.S. and Israeli bombs. He also responded to President Donald Trump, who told the UN a day earlier that he was weighing whether to "annihilate" Iran. "The United States president described us as terrorists. We have been the victims of terrorism," Pezeshkian said, according to a translation of his speech. This is breaking news. Please refresh for updates.