Pezeshkian - at UNGA ---- defies Trump,
says Iran will not bow to US pressure
September 23rd, 4:07pm
(Al Mayadeen English)
Iran's president tells the UNGA that Iran will not surrender,
defends its nuclear rights, and calls for diplomacy and
justice ---- for Palestine.
Iran will not bow to US pressure, and Tehran remains committed
to diplomacy and negotiations without accepting the language
of force, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian told the 81st
session of the United Nations General Assembly
on Wednesday.
Pezeshkian's address came a day after US President Donald Trump
used his UNGA speech to issue a warning to Iran .....and call for its
economic isolation, threatening to "annihilate the Islamic
Republic." Reuters reported that Pezeshkian's speech
reaffirmed Tehran's position .....that it would not
surrender, while keeping open the possibility
of diplomacy.
The Iranian president focused much of his address on the US war
on Iran, the Israeli occupation's actions against Gaza, Iran's
nuclear program, regional security, and double standards
in the international system.
He rejected accusations that Iran is a source of regional instability,
arguing that Tehran has acted in self-defense and does not seek
military power for aggression or hegemony.
'We have only defended ourselves'
Pezeshkian opened his address by rejecting the characterization
of Iran as "terrorist", saying that Iranians have themselves been
victims of US and Israeli terrorism and aggression.
He carried pictures --- showing students from Minab and Lamerd
who were killed by US-Israeli airstrikes on the Islamic Republic,
commemorating them in his speech alongside Iran's martyred
Leader, Sayyed Ali Khamenei, whose picture he also held.
He referred to attacks on Iranian cities and facilities, including a
strike on a school in Minab and a sports hall in Lamerd, where
children were present. He said Iranian scientists, civilians,
and children had been killed in attacks: carried out with
US and Israeli weapons.
“Those who are terrorists and train and protect terrorists
describe us as such. We have only defended ourselves.
We --- are not terrorists,” Pezeshkian said.
He accused the United States and the Israeli occupation of
targeting Iranian universities, healthcare centres, schools,
hospitals, and infrastructure, describing such attacks as
violations of international law.
Pezeshkian also recalled the assassination of Hamas political
bureau chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran on the day of his
presidential inauguration, saying that this incident -
demonstrated the threats facing Iran.
Turning to Gaza, he said more than 80,000 civilians had been
killed and hundreds of thousands displaced, accusing the
Israeli occupation of committing genocide while those
who resist it ...are labeled "terrorists".
Iran defends its right
to peaceful nuclear
technology
to peaceful nuclear
technology
A central part of Pezeshkian's address
focused on Iran's nuclear program.
He said Tehran seeks nuclear technology for peaceful purposes,
including medicine, agriculture, industry, and electricity
generation, rejecting restrictions that would prevent
Iran from developing such capabilities.
“Iran does not accept for nuclear technology to be at the exclusive
disposal of some ---- of a handful,” he said. “We will not, we will not
bow our head and give up the right that is inherently ours. We say
it clearly, no nuclear weapons ---- and no limitations to peaceful
nuclear technology.”
Pezeshkian maintained that Iran does not seek nuclear weapons
while insisting that its right to peaceful nuclear technology
should not be restricted.
He also framed Iran's military capabilities as defensive, arguing
that Tehran needs sufficient strength to deter attacks against
its territory.
“Iran must be powerful - so as to avoid being threatened, to avoid its
future being threatened,” he said, adding that Tehran does not seek
hegemony or security at the expense of other countries.
Justice for Palestine key
to Lasting peace in
West Asia
to Lasting peace in
West Asia
The Iranian president devoted a significant portion of his speech
to Palestine, describing Gaza as obvious evidence of the failure
of international mechanisms - to prevent civilian suffering.
“Palestine remains an open wound on the conscience of the
international community and Gaza remains a symbol of the
failure of international mechanisms.. to prevent civilian
suffering,” Pezeshkian said.
He argued that lasting peace in West Asia cannot be achieved
without justice for Palestinians --- linking the continuation of
resistance to the persistence of occupation, aggression,
and displacement.
“Lasting peace in West Asia is impossible without justice for
Palestine,” he said. “As long as occupation, aggression and
injustice persist in the world, resistance ---- will continue.”
Pezeshkian also rejected the notion that resistance could be
eliminated through military force, arguing that Palestinians
would continue resisting attempts to remove them from
their land.
He called for regional issues to be addressed by countries in the
region rather than through the intervention of outside powers.
Iran calls for regional
security, diplomacy
security, diplomacy
Addressing regional relations, the Iranian president said Iran does
not regard neighbouring countries as security rivals and instead
wants strong neighbours and regional cooperation.
wants strong neighbours and regional cooperation.
On the Strait of Hormuz, he said Iran could not accept a situation in
which outside powers benefited from the waterway while using it
to impose military pressure and insecurity on Iran.
“We will not succumb to that. The expansion of
warfare ---- will not result in security,” he said.
His remarks came amid heightened tensions surrounding the
strategic waterway and the wider US war on Iran. Iran has
previously signaled that the Strait of Hormuz could form
part of discussions over de-escalation if US military
and economic pressure is reduced ......and the
blockade is lifted.
Pezeshkian said regional security cannot be achieved by
one country alone, arguing that the neighbouring states
must cooperate --- to build a broad security framework.
Iran remains open to negotiations
The Iranian president also directly addressed those responsible
for aggression against Iran, saying Tehran had demonstrated
that it could not be forced into surrender.
“Iran has never, ever been an aggressor, has never started a war,
and has always shown her commitment to the negotiating table,”
Pezeshkian said.
He stressed that Iran would continue defending itself
while maintaining its readiness for diplomacy.
Addressing Trump directly, Pezeshkian said Iran was prepared
to engage in dialogue and negotiations but would not accept
negotiations conducted under military pressure.
“Iran 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.
The speech came as Iranian and US officials were communicating
indirectly ...through mediators on the sidelines of the UN General
Assembly. Reuters reported that Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas
Araghchi and US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner
communicated through mediators on Wednesday,
marking the first such contacts in months.
Pezeshkian concluded by calling for an international order
based on equal rights, justice, human dignity, and the
rejection of double standards.
“A peace that does not encompass all is no peace, and fairness
and justice that does not embrace all.... is not worthy of being
called justice and fairness,” he said.
Source: Agencies
________________________________________
Iran issues indictment: against
Israeli figures over Hezbollah
pager explosions
September 23rd, 10:39am
(PressTV)
Iran has issued an indictment against seven senior figures and
operatives of the Israeli regime, including Prime Minister
Benjamin Netanyahu, over the 2024 explosions of
pagers belonging to the Lebanese resistance
movement Hezbollah.
Tehran Prosecutor Ali Salehi said on Wednesday that the case was
opened following a complaint filed by Iran’s then-ambassador to
Beirut, Mojtaba Amani, as well as a criminal complaint lodged
by Iran’s Foreign Ministry.
“The defendants ....are being prosecuted on charges of corruption
on Earth through intentionally causing bodily harm, attempted
intentional murder, and the destruction, disabling, or
disruption of data, through the use of computer and
telecommunications systems in Lebanon,” he said.
Salehi pointed out that Amani was injured during the attack while at
his office in Beirut, suffering injuries to both eyes, his face, fingers,
palms, chest, and legs. He also lost part of his eyesight and
sustained permanent physical complications.
He added that the Foreign Ministry had requested the prosecution
of all perpetrators, instigators, accomplices, and partners in the
criminal act .......under Iran’s law on judicial protection for
government employees and armed forces personnel.
The Tehran prosecutor further noted that, according to
investigations, the operation had been planned by
Israeli operatives..... as early as a decade
before it was carried out.
He said the pagers were manufactured in the occupied territories
and sold to Hezbollah under the branding of a Taiwanese
company through a shell company based in Hungary.
The explosions took place on September 17 and 18, 2024, in two
separate waves across Lebanon, involving thousands of pagers
and hundreds of walkie-talkies. The attacks martyred dozens
of people, including civilians and children, and seriously
injured thousands of others, particularly in the eyes,
hands, and face.
'Enemy is wicked': 17-year-old Lebanese
pager victim ....on life after losing eyes
A Lebanese teen, who lost six fingers, both eyes, and suffered
grievous facial injuries in a pager explosion last September,
says Israeli terrorism cannot dampen his spirit.
Iran Red Crescent pursues legal action
--------- over attacks on civilian sites
Meanwhile, Pirhossein Kolivand, head of the Iranian Red
Crescent Society, said Iran would continue pursuing
legal action over attacks on civilian facilities
during the war.
“We are regularly following up on the issue of attacks on
civilian facilities, and last night I also spoke with an
international lawyer ...so that we can pursue a
complaint and the case privately,” Kolivand
told reporters on Wednesday, on the side
-lines of a school reopening ceremony.
He said the International Committee of the Red Cross is
expected to assist Iran in pursuing the matter, adding
that other organizations ---- will also cooperate.
Kolivand criticized the failure of international organizations
to fulfill their expected roles, saying this --- will not deter
Iran from pursuing the issue.
“This does not mean that we will remain indifferent. We will
continue this path with all our determination, efforts, and
capabilities,” he said.
Referring to his meetings with the Red Cross and the United
Nations, Kolivand said he sought to highlight the plight of
those people who were harmed during the war.
“We must not -- back down. We must continue
this path firmly and resolutely,” Kolivand said.
Commenting on US threats and sanctions, he added,
“The United States is always imposing sanctions,
and its threats are a joke.”
________________________________________
More than 16.5 million students begin
new academic year in over 124,000
schools .........across Iran
September 23rd, 9:52am
(PressTV)
Students at an elementary school celebrate the first day
of school in Kermanshah, Iran, on September 23, 2026.
More than 124,000 schools across Iran have reopened for
the new academic year ....welcoming over 16.5 million
students, as classes resumed in person across the
country on Wednesday ------- the first day of the
Persian calendar month of Mehr.
The reopening marks the beginning of a new academic year
in which schools will combine regular educational activities
with cultural and educational programs, including events
marking Sacred Defense Week and Iran's newly
designated National Flag Day.
Under the schedule announced by the Ministry of Education,
classes for primary-school students begin at 8am local time,
while lower and upper secondary classes start at 7:30am.
Preparations for the new academic year included readying
schools, organizing teachers, registering students and
distributing textbooks ahead of the reopening.
Over 124,000 schools will serve the country's student population
this year. About 83 percent of schools are public and around 17
percent are non-public. The number of educational facilities is
also expected to increase...... as newly constructed schools
begin operating at the start of the academic year.
More than nine million students are enrolled in primary education.
At the lower secondary level, 3,948,152 students are enrolled,
while 1,711,527 students are studying in the academic
branch, at the upper secondary level.
In addition, around 873,000 students are enrolled in the
technical and vocational branch, while approximately
555,000 are studying in the Kardanesh branch,
which provides vocational and skills-
based education.
Pezeshkian visits school in Tehran
Ahead of the reopening, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian
visited Fatemeh Zahra Girls' Elementary School in Tehran's
District 11 on Monday to mark the beginning of the new
academic year.
During his visit, Pezeshkian attended a symbolic classroom
decorated with symbols of resistance and commemorated
the memory of the 168 student martyrs of Shajareh-ye
Tayyebeh School in Minab, who were killed in an
attack on Iranian territory.
On the first day of the US-Israeli military aggression against Iran
on February 28, US Tomahawk missiles struck Shajareh-ye
Tayyebeh Girls' Elementary School in Minab, Hormozgan
Province, killing 168 people, most of them children,
as well as several teachers.
The school is set to be registered as a national site - in
recognition of its significance as a symbol of sacrifice
and resilience.
The reopening of schools this year - therefore - carries a
particular significance for many Iranian families, with
educational institutions also serving as venues for
programs commemorating those killed during
the recent conflict.
the recent conflict.
Flag Day marked alongside school reopening
The beginning of the academic year also coincides with the official
observance of Iran's National Flag Day... after the first day of Mehr
was designated as the occasion in the country's official calendar.
Culture and Islamic Guidance Minister Abbas Salehi marked the
occasion in a message emphasizing the historical and cultural
significance of the Iranian flag ---- and its connection to the
country's national identity.
Salehi wrote that the Iranian flag has existed in the hearts of
Iranians long before it is raised symbolically over buildings
and on flagpoles, invoking figures from Iranian history and
mythology, including Kaveh the Blacksmith and Arash the
Archer, as symbols ------- associated with the defense and
preservation of Iran.
He described the flag as a summary of Iran's history, saying
that the country's people have repeatedly paid a heavy
price to preserve their land and continued to rebuild
after periods of hardship.
In his message, Salehi also referred to the three colours of the
Iranian flag, saying that green represents the hope of a nation
that rises again after every wound, while white ...reflects the
longstanding aspiration for peace and tranquility.
He said the red of the flag has acquired an especially painful and
significant meaning in the wake of recent events, referring to
children martyred in Minab, Lamerd ---- and other Iranian
cities and villages.
“These children, whose share of the world should still have
been school, play and dreams, have now become part of
Iran's national memory ..and pain,” Salehi said.
He added that the designation of the first day of Mehr as National
Flag Day should be understood not simply as the creation of
a new occasion, but as recognition ...of a longstanding
historical reality.
“Iranians, centuries before such a day was written into the calendar,
stood, fought, built and gave their lives for the flag and for what this
flag represents,” Salehi said.
The minister also rejected the idea that threats, sanctions, military
strikes or the killing of children could separate Iranians from their
identity and homeland.
“Those outside these borders who still believe that they can
separate a nation from its identity and homeland through
threats, sanctions, bombing or the spilling of children's
blood ------- have not read Iran's history,” he said.
“The Iranian flag... cannot be taken ---- from a nation that
for centuries has carried it not only over its buildings,
but on its shoulders ....through history.”
Schools host cultural and educational programs
The new academic year - is also accompanied by a range
of cultural and educational programs in schools across
the country.
The coincidence of the beginning of the academic year with
Sacred Defense Week, which commemorates the start of
the eight-year war imposed on Iran in the 1980s by the
regime of Saddam Hussein, has led to programs in
schools to commemorate the period and honour
those who defended the country.
The designation of National Flag Day followed the public
response during what Iranian officials have described
as the 12-day imposed war and the subsequent
defense during Ramadan.
The issue of formally recognizing a day dedicated to the national
flag was raised in the Supreme Council of Culture and approved
before receiving confirmation from the Supreme Council of the
Cultural Revolution.
The first day of Mehr was subsequently designated
as National Flag Day ---- in the official calendar.