Iran's Pezeshkian asserts nuclear rights at UN as US boycotts address

UNITED NATIONS — Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian used his platform at the UN General Assembly to push back against international criticism of Tehran's nuclear ambitions, asserting that atomic energy represents a legitimate right for his country.

During his address, Pezeshkian responded to remarks by US President Donald Trump, rejecting descriptions of Iran as a terrorist state and emphasising that Iran's pursuit of nuclear energy falls within its sovereign prerogatives under international law.

The US delegation's decision to boycott the Iranian president's speech underscored the deep diplomatic divide between Washington and Tehran over nuclear policy and broader regional security concerns. The boycott reflects ongoing tensions between the two nations over Iran's nuclear programme, a contentious issue that has dominated US-Iran relations for decades.

Pezeshkian's comments come amid continued international scrutiny of Iran's nuclear activities and its compliance with the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, the multilateral agreement governing Iran's nuclear programme. The Iranian president's assertion of nuclear rights signals Tehran's determination to pursue its atomic energy agenda despite international pressure and sanctions.