Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian used his address to the United Nations General Assembly on Wednesday to sharply criticise the United States and Israel over the ongoing conflict with Tehran, accusing Washington of targeting Iranian civilians.

In his first UNGA speech since the war began with US-Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28, Pezeshkian portrayed Iran as the victim of aggression and said Tehran had acted in self-defence.

“We have only defended ourselves. We are not terrorists,” Pezeshkian said during his address.

Pezeshkian Displays Images Of Khamenei, Children

During the speech, the Iranian president displayed photographs of former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and children he said were killed in a US strike.

Pezeshkian accused the United States and Israel of launching attacks against Iran and said Iranian civilians had borne the consequences of the conflict.

“Our innocent people have been the targets of cowardly attacks and aggressions imposed upon our country,” he said, adding that Iran had responded with what he described as its full strength.

The remarks came against the backdrop of a conflict that has dominated this year's UN General Assembly, with Washington and Tehran also facing pressure to find a diplomatic route out of the confrontation.

Warning To Trump Over Sanctions

Pezeshkian also directly addressed US President Donald Trump, warning that additional sanctions and pressure would not force Iran to surrender.

He said the Iranian people's resistance would intensify if Washington continued with what he described as pressure and “bullying”.

“(Trump) must know that the resistance of the Iranian people will only increase in the face of sanctions, increased pressure, increased bullying,” Pezeshkian said.

He added that Iran would not “bow our head or bend at the knee”.

The remarks followed Trump's own UNGA address a day earlier, in which the US president warned Iran of severe consequences while also leaving open the possibility of negotiations.

US Delegation Walks Out During Speech

The confrontation also played out inside the General Assembly hall.

The US delegation left the chamber while Pezeshkian was delivering his address, according to reports.

The walkout came a day after Iran's delegation similarly walked out during Trump's UN speech, underscoring the sharp diplomatic tensions between Washington and Tehran.

Pezeshkian's appearance at the UN comes as diplomatic efforts continue alongside the fighting. Iranian officials have indicated that Tehran remains open to discussions under certain conditions, while Washington has continued to press Iran over the conflict and its broader security concerns.