Pezeshkian defiant at UN as Iran proposes seven-day path to end war

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian told the UN General Assembly that his country would “never bend at the knee,” while accusing the United States of terrorism and rejecting what he called the “language of force.” He also said Tehran was ready for dialogue, though Iranian officials characterized contacts with US counterparts on the sidelines of the gathering as offering nothing new.

In a later interview with Al Jazeera, Pezeshkian said Iran no longer trusted Washington because earlier negotiations had been followed by attacks and sanctions. He said Qatar and Pakistan were relaying messages between the two governments as Iran awaited a US response to its proposal for ending the war.

Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the Iranian plan envisioned initial steps over four to five days, reopening the Strait of Hormuz on the sixth day and beginning talks on a final agreement, including Iran’s nuclear program, on the seventh. According to Al Jazeera, Iran is seeking an end to the US naval blockade, sanctions relief for oil sales, the release of frozen assets and a regional ceasefire. Iran would reopen the strait in return.

Pezeshkian denied that Iran bore responsibility for blocking the waterway, calling its closure a response to restrictions imposed on the country. ABC News reported that US President Donald Trump rejected Iran’s offer to reopen the strait.