Irans president strikes a defiant tone at U.N. after Trump threats

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.“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.”Pezeshkian vowed that Iran would not limit its nuclear program, which it maintains is for civilian purposes, while also saying it was open to negotiations.“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.Pezeshkian 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.

While the U.S.military has yet to directly accept the blame for the bombings on the first day of the war, experts commissioned by the U.N.’s top human rights body say they have found “reasonable grounds” to believe America committed war crimes in the strikes, which Iranian state media says killed 168 people, mostly children.Seats for the U.S.

delegation are empty as Pezeshkian addresses the General Assembly.Alexi J.Rosenfeld / Getty ImagesA U.S.

representative at the U.N.walked out as Pezeshkian mentioned civilian casualties, and many seats were empty during his address.Pezeshkian also displayed a photograph of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed when the Israeli military targeted his compound in Tehran on Feb.

28, alongside members of his family and senior Iranian officials.Pezeshkian’s address followed Trump’s speech Tuesday, during which the American president threatene...