Iran’s Masoud Pezeshkian is speaking now.
He responds very angrily to Donald Trump’s speech from yesterday.
“The US president described us as terrorists. We have been the victims of terrorism,” he says.
He says the US “bombed a school” and “children perished under bombs with weapons used by the US and Israel.”
He says Iran “did not bow our head … and responded, but we did not hit civilian populations,” but “only defended ourselves – we are not terrorists.”
As he goes on, the US delegation walks out of the room.
Argentina’s Javier Milei is up next.
Always a colourful figure, let’s see what he says.
Meanwhile, Czechia’s Pavel is speaking now, and he joins in warnings about an emerging “power vacuum” in international politics, where “might replaces right.”
Speaking specifically on Ukraine, he warns that “Russia’s aggression continues to inflict enormous suffering on the Ukrainian people, civilians and civilians.”
“Russia’s aggressive posture poses a direct threat to European security as a whole,” he warns, talking about recent incidents involving Russia, including at Leipzig airport in Germany.
But framing his argument more broadly, he says:
“The consequences of aggression reach far beyond Europe. Russia’s war has undermined global food security, disrupting agricultural production, exports and supply chains. Its effects are felt in my country, but even more acutely in parts of Africa and elsewhere, particularly in countries that depend on stable and affordable food supplies.”
He then turns towards Czechia’s bid to get a non-permanent seat on the UN security council for 2032-2033, and to his reflections on AI as he warns that “our ability to govern this technology is not keeping pace with its development.”.
Back to Pezeshkian’s speech, here is the moment when the US representative walked out in protest at what he was saying:
Back to the main hall, Czechia’s Petr Pavel is the next leader to speak.
A retired general and former chair of the Nato military committee, the 64-year-old’s defence background is rare among European leaders.
Let’s see what he says.
Meanwhile, US secretary of state Marco Rubio said after meeting with Russia’s Sergei Lavrov that both Russia and Ukraine had expressed interest in a limited ceasefire involving grain and energy.
“We would be open to playing a constructive role in making that happen,” he said, quoted by Reuters.
Let’s see if anything comes out of this.
Paraguay’s Santiago Peña Palacios is up next, before Czechia’s Petr Pavel.
Eleven speakers to go until we hear from Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Pezeshkian goes back to Trump’s speech from yesterday, as he says that “everything uttered about our country goes against the very essence” of the UN charter.
“He must know that the resistance of the Iranian people will only increase in the face of sanctions, increased pressure, increased bullying.
We will never bow our head or bend at the knee.
Iran must be understood by Mr Trump and those who seek to bully us; that we are ready for dialogue and diplomacy and negotiations – without accepting the language of force.”
And he ends his speech on this note.
Pezeshkian then says he wants to say “a few words” to those who “carried out aggressions against our country.”
“They have tested the strength and the steadfastness of Iran, and they have learned that Iran cannot be made to surrender. Iran has never, ever been an aggressor, has never started a war, and has always shown her commitment to the negotiating table.
They impose the war on us but we have proven that we’re not afraid of fighting, of war, that is defensive in nature, and we will stand in defence of our beloved Iran, our homeland, until our last breath.”
He draws comparisons between Iran and Israel in particular suggesting double standards as he says:
“The nuclear weapon is in Israel, but the inspectors in Iran. Israel kills, but Iran is subject to sanctions.”
On the strait of Hormuz, Iran’s Pezeshkian says:
“We cannot let some have free access and gain their interest from a waterway, while at the same time using that waterway to impose their aggressions upon us, to impose insecurity upon us, to forbid us access to our own waterways.”
He also warns that any “expansion of warfare will not result in security.”
He then says the situation in Palestine remains “an open wound on the conscience of the international community,” and “a symbol of the failure of international mechanisms to prevent civilian suffering.”
“We cannot speak of peace while ignoring Palestine. Lasting peace in West Asia is impossible without justice for Palestine,” he says.
Pezeshkian says the US often labels Iran as terrorists, while “we only seek to live independently.”
“Those who are committing terrorism, and committing crimes – are they they protectors of peace and stability? None of the international laws have been adhered to by them,” he snaps.
He says that “for the past two centuries” Iran “has not attacked any country of any territory,” and focuses on “defensive” military power.
He says Iran only wants nuclear technology for energy and “for progress,” and not for military reasons.
“We will not bow our head and give up the right that is inherently ours. We say it clearly no nuclear weapons and no limitations to peaceful nuclear technology. Our peace will not come in the field of battle. They must give the needed security to the people and nation of Iran.”
Iran’s Masoud Pezeshkian is speaking now.
He responds very angrily to Donald Trump’s speech from yesterday.
“The US president described us as terrorists. We have been the victims of terrorism,” he says.
He says the US “bombed a school” and “children perished under bombs with weapons used by the US and Israel.”
He says Iran “did not bow our head … and responded, but we did not hit civilian populations,” but “only defended ourselves – we are not terrorists.”
As he goes on, the US delegation walks out of the room.
Meanwhile, the latest update on today’s Russian strikes on Kyiv says two people were killed, and 43 injured.
That’s just hours before Zelenskyy’s main UN speech, which is expected in a couple or so hours.
Burundi’s Evariste Ndayishimiye is the latest leader to join the general assembly debate.
But watch out: next up is the Iranian president, Masoud Pezeshkian.
Away from the general assembly room, there is also lots of activities on the sidelines of the main debate.
For example, US secretary of state Marco Rubio is meeting Russia’s foreign minister Sergei Lavrov.
Earlier today, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters that Russia believed there were no ground for Ukraine peace talks, but claimed it was open to them in principle.
Romania’s Nicușor Dan is up next.
He opens focusing on his concerns about social media platforms, as he says it is a fundamental “threat to our democracies that I do not believe is receiving the interest it deserves.”
He particularly talks about troll farms and other actions that seek to undermine “the fundamental principle of democracy: one person, one voice, one vote.”
He then turns to talking about Romania’s reforms over the last 37 years, showing “the difference between a communist system that oppressed them and stifled their initiative and freedom of choice, and a democracy that rewards work, innovation and personal responsibility.”
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: theguardian.com
