Pezeshkian heads to UN, vows to defend Iran’s positions despite war

Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian has promised to “firmly defend” Iran’s positions at international forums as he travelled to New York for the United Nations General Assembly.

Speaking before his departure, Pezeshkian said Iran had emerged from recent developments with its dignity intact and would maintain its position internationally.

“We emerged with our heads held high, and this is a source of dignity and pride for all of us. Therefore, we will firmly defend our positions in international forums,” he said, according to footage aired by Iranian state television.

Pezeshkian is expected to deliver his address to the UN meeting on Wednesday.

He said his appearance at the gathering would provide an opportunity to present Iran’s situation to the international community and send a message to its adversaries.

“We will make the best possible use of this opportunity to convey Iran’s plight to the international community. We will firmly tell our adversaries that, despite all the unfairness and injustices, the Iranian people have stood their ground,” he said.

The trip makes Pezeshkian the highest-ranking Iranian official to travel to the United States since the Middle East war erupted in late February following US-Israeli strikes on Iran.

Although the United States has authorised UN visits for some members of Iran’s delegation despite the conflict, the US State Department said the delegation would be subject to movement restrictions.

Iran’s presidential communications team, however, was denied visas and has not been authorised to travel.

According to local media, Iranian presidential spokesman Habibollah Abbassi condemned the decision, describing the barring of the communications team as “hostile”.

The Strait of Hormuz remains a major point of contention between Tehran and Washington as the two sides remain locked in conflict.

The strategically important maritime passage, through which one-fifth of the world’s hydrocarbons passed before the war, has experienced severe disruption.

Iran has fired on commercial vessels and demanded that it approve passage through the strait.

The United States has responded by maintaining a counterblockade of Iranian ports and intensifying economic pressure on Tehran.

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