In a strong speech at the United Nations General Assembly, Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian accused the United States of being an “aggressor” that supports and encourages Israel to commit crimes in the Middle East. He said Washington’s backing gives Israel license to act with impunity against its neighbors.
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Claims Made by Iran
Pezeshkian declared that Iran has never sought nuclear weapons and pledged it never will.
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He sharply criticized what he sees as the real source of regional instability—the “Israeli regime”—casting blame for violence in Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, and Yemen.
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In particular, Pezeshkian said recent airstrikes by Israel and the United States against Iran violated international law, killing commanders, civilians, children, scientists, and damaging infrastructure.
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He portrayed those attacks as part of a broader pattern of aggression directed at the region’s people.
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He accused the U.S. of supporting these actions—through weapons, intelligence, and political backing—and said that such support permits Israel to carry out “crimes” in the region without consequences.
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Why This Matters
Charges of hypocrisy and double standards
By calling the U.S. an aggressor, Iran is challenging U.S. claims to champion human rights and international law. The speech argues that U.S. backing undermines its own moral standing.
Justification for Iran’s position
Iran uses these accusations to frame its behavior as defensive or reactive. If it is under external threat, it can argue its actions are legitimate under the principle of self-defense.
Tension with Western countries
Such accusations will heighten diplomatic tensions between Iran and Western nations, especially the U.S. and those aligned with Israel. It may harden stances in negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program or regional security issues.
Regional impact
The speech may rally support among countries critical of U.S. and Israeli policies, especially in the Muslim world. It reinforces narratives of resistance and opposition to perceived imbalance in power.
Skepticism and Counter-Arguments
Verification of claims
While Iran asserts many attacks and losses, independent verification is often difficult in conflict zones. The scale and targets of alleged strikes may be contested.
Role of Israel’s security narrative
Israel frequently argues its actions are in self-defense against threats from Iran and its proxies. This perspective clashes directly with Iran’s narrative.
U.S. position
The U.S. would likely reject the notion of being an aggressor. It often defends its policies as supporting peace, security, and deterrence against aggression.
What to Watch
Reactions from U.S. officials and Israeli leadership: how they respond to these accusations.
Statements by UN bodies or international courts: whether they probe or call for investigations into claimed violations.
Rallying effect in the region: how other Middle Eastern countries respond, especially those with tense relations with the U.S. or Israel.
Impacts on diplomacy: whether this rhetoric makes talks harder or shifts power dynamics in negotiations on nuclear, security, or regional issues.
In straightforward terms: Iran’s leader at the U.N. accused the U.S. of backing Israel’s military actions, making the United States complicit in what Iran calls crimes across the region. He argued that such support allows Israel to act without fear of consequences. Whether others accept that claim—or counter it—will shape how tensions unfold in the months ahead.