Iran President Pezeshkian Heads to UNGA, Vows to Defend Tehran’s Position

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has vowed to defend his country’s position at the United Nations as he travels to New York for the 81st UN General Assembly amid the ongoing war between Iran and the United States and Israel.

Pezeshkian said Iran would use the UN platform to present what he described as the country’s plight to the international community and reaffirm Tehran’s position despite the conflict.

“We will make the best possible use of this opportunity to convey Iran’s plight to the international community,” he said before departing Iran, according to Iranian state television.

The Iranian president is scheduled to address the General Assembly on Wednesday. His visit makes him the highest-ranking Iranian official to travel to the United States since the conflict began.

The United States approved visas for Pezeshkian and other members of Iran’s core delegation despite the ongoing hostilities. However, Washington has imposed movement restrictions on the delegation. Iran’s communications team was not authorised to travel after its members were denied visas.

Pezeshkian’s visit comes as Tehran signals a possible opening for renewed diplomacy. A senior Iranian official told Reuters that Iran could reopen the Strait of Hormuz within seven days if the United States eases military pressure and lifts its blockade of Iranian ports. Tehran has also conveyed a proposal through mediators calling for a return to negotiations aimed at ending the conflict.

The Strait of Hormuz has become a major flashpoint in the conflict because of its importance to global energy supplies. Disruption in the waterway has affected oil and gas shipments and added pressure to international energy markets. Reuters reported that oil prices fell on Tuesday after Iran’s offer raised hopes of improved supply conditions.

Iranian officials have described the UN General Assembly as an opportunity to revive diplomatic efforts, although no direct meeting between Pezeshkian and US President Donald Trump is currently planned. Iran’s delegation has indicated that it has authority to pursue negotiations through mediators while in New York.

The Pezeshkian administration continues to reject what it considers unfair treatment by the United States and its allies. Iranian officials have also criticised Washington’s decision to deny visas to members of the president’s communications team, describing the move as hostile.

Pezeshkian’s address is therefore expected to focus heavily on Iran’s account of the conflict, its position on international pressure and Tehran’s demands for any diplomatic process. The speech comes at a critical UN gathering where the war and disruption to major maritime routes have become central international concern