US Delegate Walks Out During Pezeshkian’s UNGA Speech

A United States delegate walked out of the United Nations General Assembly on Wednesday as Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian accused Washington of terrorism and condemned its military campaign against Iran.

CNN reported that the walkout occurred only minutes after Pezeshkian began his address, as he criticised remarks made by US President Donald Trump during his UNGA speech on Tuesday.

Pezeshkian said Trump had described Iranians as terrorists, arguing that Iran had instead been a victim of attacks.

“The United States president described us as terrorists. We have been the victims of terrorism,” the Iranian president said.

He also referred to the killing of Iran’s former Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and a US strike on an Iranian elementary school at the beginning of the war, which he said killed 156 people.

Pezeshkian also accused the United States of targeting a sports hall and killing Iranian men, women and children.

“The United States, by using weapons with multiple warheads, targeted that sports hall. They martyred, assassinated our scientists, our men, women, and children. Innocent children whom, in truth, had committed no crimes, no sins,” he said.

The US delegate stood up and left the chamber as Pezeshkian made the remarks, according to CNN.

Pezeshkian used the address to defend Iran’s nuclear programme, saying Tehran sought nuclear technology for development rather than weapons.

He said Iran wanted to cooperate with other countries on security but warned that Tehran would not allow the Strait of Hormuz to be used to facilitate attacks against Iran.

“We will never bow our head or bend at the knee,” Pezeshkian said, calling for international cooperation to achieve what he described as “true peace and stability.”

The speech came a day after Trump used his UNGA address to defend US military action against Iran and warned that Washington could “annihilate” the country if no peace agreement was reached.

Trump has also said the United States remains open to negotiations with Tehran.

Iran and the United States remain engaged in a prolonged conflict, with tensions centred on Iran’s nuclear programme, military operations and control of the strategically important Strait of Hormuz. Iran has also signalled willingness to reopen the waterway if Washington eases military pressure and lifts its blockade on Iranian ports.