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Iran's president tells Trump it will never 'bend the knee'

September 23, 2026

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian addressed the United Nations General Assembly, rejecting President Trump's ultimatum to either reach a deal or face annihilation after nearly seven months of armed conflict between Iran and the US-Israel coalition. Pezeshkian declared that Iran would never surrender to pressure but remained open to diplomatic negotiations, provided the US lifts its naval blockade that prevents Iranian vessels from accessing the Strait of Hormuz. The president displayed photographs of Iran's deceased Supreme Leader and civilian casualties from strikes, arguing that Iran has been a victim rather than perpetrator of terrorism.

Who is affected

  • Iranian civilians, including over 175 killed (two-thirds children) in strikes on Minab and Lamerd
  • Late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei (killed in February strike)
  • US and Israeli military forces
  • An Indian sailor killed in a Strait of Hormuz attack
  • Commercial shipping companies and crews operating in the Gulf region
  • Gulf Arab states hosting US military bases
  • Global oil and gas consumers dependent on Strait of Hormuz shipments

What action is being taken

  • The US is imposing a blockade of Iranian ports and ships
  • Iran is attacking commercial vessels in the Gulf, Gulf of Oman, and Arabian Sea
  • Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and US envoy Steve Witkoff are holding indirect talks brokered by Qatari mediators
  • The US delegation walked out during Pezeshkian's UN address
  • The US is investigating what happened in Minab

Why it matters

  • The conflict threatens global energy supplies as Iran has effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz, through which one-fifth of the world's oil and gas shipments typically pass. The escalating tensions between a nuclear-threshold nation and the US-Israel alliance risk broader regional war and humanitarian catastrophe, with civilians already suffering significant casualties. The breakdown of diplomatic efforts and Trump's threat of annihilation signal potential for even more devastating military action.

What's next

  • No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: BBC