‘We are victims of terrorism!’ – Iranian President Slams US, Israel at UNGA

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Wednesday that his country had been the ‘victim’ of terrorism, condemning the assassination of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and the strikes that killed children at a school in Minab, during his address to the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

“Yesterday, the President of the United States called us terrorists. We are victims of terrorism,” Pezeshkian said.

The Iranian president also addressed the strikes at a school in Minab, saying, “Do you see these children? They were bombed and killed. Weapons from the United States and Israel were used. They were innocent and had committed no crime.”

Pezeshkian also referred to the targeting of a sports hall where children had been exercising, saying the United States struck it with cluster bombs that “shattered into thousands of pieces.”

The US has never admitted to either strike officially.

A UN report suggested there were grounds to suggest Washington was responsible for the Lamerd sports hall strike—and leaked reports pointed to US intelligence failings in the case of Minab.

The Iranian president arrived in New York City on Tuesday to participate in the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly, amid continued tensions between Tehran and Washington.

The 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly opened in New York City on September 8, while the General Debate is being held under the theme “Restoring Trust, Managing Transformation: A United Nations That Delivers for All”, from September 22 to 28.