Iran's president condemns US while signaling openness to diplomacy

Pezeshkian used his platform at the UN General Assembly to launch a sharp rebuke of American policy, characterizing U.S. actions as terrorism and condemning what he described as an illegal blockade affecting Iranian commerce through one of the world's most critical shipping lanes. Despite the inflammatory rhetoric, the Iranian leader signaled Tehran's willingness to engage in diplomatic talks, suggesting his government has not entirely closed the door to negotiations with Washington.

The speech reflected Iran's longstanding position that U.S. sanctions and military presence in the Persian Gulf violate international law and threaten regional stability. Pezeshkian specifically cited American naval operations in the Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly one-fifth of global petroleum exports transit annually, as destabilizing to the broader Middle East.

The Iranian president's balanced message—combining harsh condemnation with diplomatic overtures—underscores Tehran's complex approach to its relationship with the United States. Analysts suggest the dual messaging reflects internal divisions within Iran's leadership over how aggressively to pursue confrontation versus dialogue.

The address comes amid mounting tensions following the collapse of the 2015 nuclear deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, which the United States withdrew from in 2018. International observers have expressed concern that deteriorating U.S.-Iran relations could trigger broader instability across the Middle East and beyond.