Iran · updated 1h ago · 3 min read
Masoud Pezeshkian Departs for New York, Vows to Firmly Defend Iran’s Positions at UNGA
Masoud Pezeshkian departed Tehran for New York to attend the 81st UN General Assembly. He vowed to firmly defend Iran’s positions and convey the nation’s strength.
12 outlets told this the same way.
8 of 11 outlets skipped it: he makes or is reported to make a brief Qatar stop.
The Jerusalem Post was read line by line by the Watchdog: 4.4. See the score →
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Pezeshkian heads to UNGA
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian departed for New York on Tuesday to attend the 81st United Nations General Assembly, pledging that “We will firmly defend our positions in international forums,” and vowing to make the voice of the Iranian people heard despite what he described as attempts to silence it. Pezeshkian told reporters before his departure that “The UN General Assembly is a place where we can convey our positions, our grievances, and our strength to the world,” and he said this year’s theme was the restoration of trust among nations. Pezeshkian accused some countries of using their power to pressure others and violate the rights of nations, and he said he would speak at the General Assembly about “the grievances of the Iranian people, the crimes committed by our enemies, and the mistrust they have created.”
Pezeshkian also condemned the US move to prevent Iran’s media delegation from attending the General Assembly, and he asked, “Is attacking homes and hospitals a fight against terrorism?” Pezeshkian concluded by expressing confidence that the Iranian nation would frustrate its enemies “under the leadership of the Leader of the Islamic Revolution [Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Khamenei], and through the unity and cohesion that we have and will continue to maintain.”
Araghchi frames the mission
Iranian Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi said the delegation’s foremost purpose at the United Nations General Assembly was to “defend the righteousness, rights and interests of the Iranian people,” after what he described as a “cowardly war waged by America and the Zionist entity against us.”
Araghchi told reporters that the United Nations was the world’s largest international platform and that it mattered to Tehran that the UN still offered nations a tribune from which to carry their positions to the world.
Araghchi said the General Assembly theme was “Reviving Confidence in the United Nations,” and he argued that confidence had faded because of what he described as the UN’s inefficiency in establishing international peace and security.
Araghchi said the president would deliver an address at the General Assembly and hold meetings with elites, Iranian and non-Iranian media, and intellectuals, while Dr. Beheshtian would conduct interviews with various media outlets.
Araghchi said the scheduled meetings and the fact that everyone was present would offer an opportunity for bilateral discussions, and he described the program as “an intensive four-to-five-day program.”
Media limits and UN trust
Pezeshkian said the US decision to prevent Iran’s media delegation from attending the 81st UN General Assembly showed Washington was concerned about Iran’s account of recent events being heard, while he said international media outlets would still cover the General Assembly. Pezeshkian argued that “There may have been efforts to restrict Iran’s media presence,” but he said the platform available to Iran provided an opportunity to convey the message of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Pezeshkian said the restrictions could be seen as a sign of concern among some parties about the realities of regional developments being seen and heard more widely, and he said Iran would seek to convey its positions and the realities on the ground to global public opinion.
Araghchi said the theme of restoring trust in the United Nations was itself an admission that confidence in the organization had eroded, and he said the UN had failed to uphold international peace and security. Araghchi said “As a result, we see a criminal entity like the Zionist regime given a completely free hand to do whatever it wishes,” and he argued that Western and European countries remained silent in the face of what he described as atrocities.