Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian struck a defiant tone during his address at the United Nations General Assembly on Wednesday, the first time the leader of a country at war with the United States has addressed the world body.
\n\n“America and Israel attacked us, equipped with the latest technology and weapon systems, and our people stood steadfast,” Pezeshkian said one day after President Donald Trump had threatened to “annihilate” Iran. “Yes, they did hit us, but we did not bend the knee, we did not bow our head.”
\n\nPezeshkian vowed that Iran would not limit its nuclear program, which it maintains is for civilian purposes, while also saying it was open to negotiations.
\n\n“Iran’s defense, our defensive systems have been built so that no one can think that bombing of Iranian cities will go unanswered. That is why we have the military power we do for defense,” he added.
\n\nPezeshkian also highlighted civilian casualties by holding up a picture of children killed when a U.S. munition likely hit an elementary school in Minab in southern Iran, NBC News has reported.
\n\nWhile the U.S. military has yet to directly accept the blame for the bombings on the first day of the war…
Original source: https://www.nbcnews.com/