Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, whose country is in the middle of a war with the US, addressed the 81st session of United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York on Wednesday. Slamming the US President, he said yesterday Trump labelled us as terrorists, but we are the victims of terrorism.

In a defiant speech, Pezeshkian held up large photos of the late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and the more than 150 schoolchildren killed on the first days of the war. "We have only defended ourselves. We are not terrorists," Pezeshkian said at the General Assembly.

ALSO READ: Trump-Xi Meeting Today: Trade, Iran And Taiwan Among Key Agendas Amid 'AI Race' Buzz

"Our innocent people have been the targets of cowardly attacks and aggressions imposed upon our country. And we defended ourselves with utmost strength. America and Israel attacked us." He added about the United States: "Yes, they did hit us, but we did not bend the knee." Toward the end of his speech, Pezeshkian called out Trump by name. "It 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," he said.

"I come from Iran, where our Religious Leader was subjected to an assassination attempt without any justification. I come from an Iran where a school was bombed. Do you see these children? These children lost their lives under bombs from weapons used by the United States and Israel. They were innocent and had committed no crime," the President asserted.

Here Are The Key Highlights Of Pezeshkian's UNGA Speech

- Gaza is a symbol of the failure of international mechanisms to prevent occupation and the suffering of civilians; lasting peace in West Asia will not be achieved without freedom for Palestine.

- We want nothing; we need the power necessary to defend ourselves, because in this world, any nation that cannot defend itself will be crushed.

ALSO READ: 'Do I Drive Them To Hell?': US President Predicts Post-Midterm Iran Deal In UNGA Speech

- For seven months, our people were out in the streets every night to prevent those armed by the United States and Israel from doing anything.

 - US bombed Iranian children in Lamerd using cluster bombs.

- They accuse Iran of terrorism while committing worst terrorist acts.

- Iran will not forgo its rights to peaceful use of nuclear technology.

- They want to close Iran waterways while using those as supply lines for own sinister goals.

- Resistance cannot be defeated by bombs and acts of aggression.

- They imposed a war on Iran, but they learnt that Iranians are not afraid of war.

- Nuclear weapon is in Israel, but IAEA inspectors are racing to come to Iran.

- We must not build a world where military power is used for enforcing hegemony.

- Iran ready for diplomacy, peace, but 'we won't give in to bullies' pressure'.

(With Agencies inputs)

You May Also Like To Watch