US walked out of UN hall during Iranian president's speech

 

TT

 

Published 16.50

       
       Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian during his speech at the UN General Assembly. Photo: Heather         Khalifa/AP/TT

Speaking from the UN podium, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian portrayed his country as a victim and called US President Donald Trump a "bully."

The US responded by walking out of the hall during his speech.

Pezeshkian did not acknowledge any Iranian wrongdoing in his address; instead, he launched attacks against the US and Israel.

"We are victims of terrorism," he said, claiming that Iran has never started a war.

"They forced the war upon us, but we have proven that we are not afraid of combat."

Neither the US nor the Israeli delegations listened to the speech inside the hall. The Israeli seats were already empty when the speech began, and the Americans present at the start walked out demonstratively while he was speaking.

The speech contradicts statements made by Donald Trump over the past 24 hours, in which he described behind-the-scenes talks between the countries at the UN General Assembly in New York as "very good" and "very productive."

Instead, Pezeshkian said:

"(Trump) must understand that the Iranian people's resistance only grows when faced with sanctions, increased pressure, and increased bullying."