Iran President Pezeshkian At UNGA: What Will He Say After Trump’s Threat?

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian is in New York for the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly at a highly sensitive moment in relations between Iran and the United States.

Pezeshkian is scheduled to address the UN General Assembly on Wednesday, September 23, after US President Donald Trump delivered a strong speech at the same forum a day earlier.

Trump warned that the United States could take extremely severe action against Iran if an agreement to end the conflict is not reached. At the same time, he said he expected a deal eventually and indicated that US-Iran contacts were continuing.

This puts Pezeshkian in a difficult diplomatic position.

His speech is expected to focus on Iran's position on the conflict, US military action, nuclear issues, sanctions, diplomacy and the wider regional crisis.

The exact wording of his speech cannot be confirmed before he delivers it.

What Did Trump Say About Iran At The UN?

Trump's September 22 UNGA speech changed the immediate backdrop for Pezeshkian's appearance.

Trump said the United States could either reach a deal that would allow Iran to rebuild or take much more severe action against the Islamic Republic if no agreement is reached. He also called on other countries to support economic pressure on Iran.

Trump also repeated that Iran should not be allowed to obtain a nuclear weapon.

At the same time, Trump said US-Iran communications were continuing and expressed confidence that some form of settlement could eventually be reached.

So, Trump's message contained two different elements:

This combination of pressure and diplomacy is likely to be an important part of the background to Pezeshkian's speech.

What Is Pezeshkian Likely To Say At UNGA?

Pezeshkian has not released the complete text of his UNGA speech in advance.

However, statements from Iranian officials and developments before his arrival in New York provide some indication of the issues Tehran is likely to raise.

Iran Is Expected To Reject The US Threats

Iranian officials have repeatedly criticised US military pressure and described the conflict as an attack on Iran.

Before leaving Tehran, Pezeshkian said Iran would strongly defend its position in international forums and present the Iranian people's message to the world.

Therefore, his UN speech is likely to challenge Washington's description of the conflict and present Iran's position to other countries.

The speech may focus on sovereignty, international law and what Tehran describes as aggression against Iran.

Pezeshkian Is Expected To Talk About Diplomacy

Despite the harsh language coming from both sides, diplomacy has not completely disappeared.

Iran has communicated conditions for moving towards negotiations through intermediaries.

A senior Iranian official said Tehran had offered to reopen the Strait of Hormuz within seven days if Washington reduces military pressure and lifts its blockade of Iranian ports. The proposal was reportedly conveyed through mediators.

This is important because it shows that the situation is not limited to military threats.

There is also a diplomatic track.

Pezeshkian may therefore use his UN platform to argue that negotiations remain possible if Iran's conditions and security concerns are addressed.

Strait Of Hormuz Could Become A Major Part Of The Speech

The Strait of Hormuz is one of the most important strategic waterways in the world.

The waterway connects the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and is a major route for global energy shipments.

The current conflict has already affected shipping and energy markets.

Iran's reported proposal to reopen the waterway within seven days, subject to conditions involving US military pressure and the blockade of Iranian ports, gives Pezeshkian another important diplomatic issue to discuss.

Iran's Nuclear Programme Will Be Another Key Issue

The nuclear issue remains at the centre of the US-Iran dispute.

Trump has repeatedly said that Iran must not be allowed to obtain a nuclear weapon. He again made this point during his UN speech.

Iran, meanwhile, has maintained that its nuclear activities are connected to its national interests and has rejected what it considers unacceptable demands from Washington.

Pezeshkian is therefore expected to address the nuclear issue, although the exact proposals he will put forward remain unclear before the speech.

The key question will be whether he uses the UN platform mainly to criticise US policy or leaves more room for negotiations.

Will Pezeshkian Respond Directly To Trump's "Annihilation" Warning?

This could become one of the biggest moments of the speech.

Trump's UN address included a warning that the US could take extreme action against Iran if a peace agreement is not achieved.

Iranian officials have already responded with strong language.

Pezeshkian could therefore directly challenge Trump's threat and argue that military pressure cannot force Iran to surrender.

But he may also leave the door open to diplomacy.

That would allow Tehran to send two messages at the same time:

Message 1: Iran will not accept military coercion.

Message 2: Iran remains willing to discuss a diplomatic solution under acceptable conditions.

This balance is particularly important because Pezeshkian has been associated with calls for engagement and diplomacy, while Iran's wider leadership and military establishment have taken a harder line on security issues.

Could Pezeshkian Talk About US-Iran Negotiations?

Yes, this is likely to be one of the central themes.

The two countries have exchanged threats, but there have also been contacts through intermediaries.

Trump said on September 22 that the US and Iran were still talking and that he believed a settlement could eventually be reached.

Iran has also communicated through mediators.

This means the UNGA week is not only about public speeches.

Behind the scenes, diplomats are also trying to determine whether the two sides can find a path towards negotiations.

Is A Trump-Pezeshkian Meeting Possible?

Trump had earlier indicated that he would be open to meeting Pezeshkian in New York.

However, Iranian officials have indicated that a direct meeting was not planned at this stage. Iran has instead been using intermediaries and diplomatic contacts.

That means readers should not assume that a Trump-Pezeshkian meeting will happen simply because both leaders are in New York.

Any direct meeting would carry major political significance for both governments.

Why Pezeshkian's UN Visit Is Different This Time

This year's visit comes during an ongoing US-Iran conflict.

The United States and Israel launched military strikes against Iran on February 28, 2026, beginning the latest major phase of the conflict.

Since then, the dispute has expanded beyond Iran's nuclear programme.

It has affected:

• Oil markets
• Shipping
• The Strait of Hormuz
• Gulf security
• Regional armed groups
• US-Iran diplomacy
• International energy supplies

As a result, Pezeshkian's appearance at the UN has much greater diplomatic importance than a normal annual address.

Iran Wants To Present Its Side To The World

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has said Iran wants to use the UN gathering to defend what Tehran considers the rights and interests of the Iranian people.

Pezeshkian has similarly said Iran will strongly defend its position in international forums.

This suggests that Iran's message is likely to go beyond the US-Iran dispute.

Pezeshkian may also talk about:

• Civilian suffering
• International law
• Sanctions
• Iranian sovereignty
• Military attacks
• Nuclear rights
• Regional security
• The role of the United Nations

Iran's Delegation Has Also Faced US Restrictions

The Iranian delegation's participation in the UN meeting has itself become controversial.

The Trump administration approved visas for Pezeshkian and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, while several members of the wider Iranian delegation were denied visas. The US cited its obligations as the UN host country while imposing restrictions on the Iranian delegation.

Iranian officials have criticised these restrictions.

Therefore, Pezeshkian could also use the UN platform to raise concerns about the treatment of his delegation.

The Bigger Issue: War Or Diplomacy?

The biggest question surrounding Pezeshkian's speech is whether Iran will emphasise confrontation or diplomacy.

The situation currently contains both elements.

Signs of confrontation

• Strong statements from Washington
• Iranian warnings of retaliation
• Continuing military tensions
• Disagreement over Iran's nuclear programme
• Economic pressure and sanctions

Signs of diplomacy

• Communication through mediators
• US statements that talks are continuing
• Iran's reported offer involving the Strait of Hormuz
• Discussion of a possible future agreement
• International diplomatic efforts at the UN

This makes the UNGA an important platform for both sides.