Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian used his address to the United Nations General Assembly to accuse the United States and Israel of attacks on Iranian civilians, displaying photographs of children killed in a strike on a school in Minab.
Pezeshkian displays photographs of child victims
During his speech on Wednesday, Pezeshkian held up photographs showing children and other victims of the February 28 attack on Shajareh Tayyebeh Primary School in Minab. Iranian officials have said more than 150 schoolchildren were killed in the strike. A UN-backed fact-finding mission has subsequently found reasonable grounds to believe the United States committed war crimes in two airstrikes, including the Minab school attack. The United States has rejected the findings.
Pezeshkian described Iran as a victim of terrorism and rejected US President Donald Trump’s characterisation of Iran as a major source of terrorism. He said Iran had defended itself against attacks and accused the United States and Israel of targeting Iranian civilians. These statements represent the Iranian government’s position.
US delegation walks out during speech
The Iranian president’s address came a day after Trump warned that the United States could take further military action against Iran if negotiations failed. Pezeshkian, however, said Tehran remained open to dialogue and diplomacy but would not accept negotiations conducted under military pressure.
The US representative present in the General Assembly hall walked out during Pezeshkian’s remarks. The moment came as the Iranian president was discussing the deaths of civilians and displaying photographs from the Minab attack.
The speech highlighted the deep divisions between Washington and Tehran, while Pezeshkian also indicated that diplomatic contacts between the two sides continued through intermediaries.