Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has vowed to “firmly defend” his country’s position as he travelled to New York to attend the United Nations General Assembly.
Pezeshkian made the remarks on Tuesday before departing Iran, according to footage broadcast by Iranian state television.
“We emerged with our heads held high, and this is a source of dignity and pride for all of us. Therefore, we will firmly defend our positions in international forums,” he said.
The Iranian president is scheduled to address the UN General Assembly on Wednesday, where he said he would use the opportunity to highlight Iran’s situation to the international community.
“We will make the best possible use of this opportunity to convey Iran’s plight to the international community. We will firmly tell our adversaries that, despite all the unfairness and injustices, the Iranian people have stood their ground,” Pezeshkian said.
Iranian Delegation Faces US Restrictions
Pezeshkian is expected to become the highest-ranking Iranian official to visit the United States since the Middle East war began in late February with US-Israeli strikes on Iran.
The US has approved UN visits for some members of the Iranian delegation despite the ongoing conflict. However, the delegation will face movement restrictions, according to the US State Department.
Members of Pezeshkian’s communications team have been denied visas and will not travel with him.
Iranian presidential spokesman Habibollah Abbassi described the decision as “hostile”, according to local media reports.
Strait of Hormuz Remains Key Flashpoint
The strategic Strait of Hormuz remains a major point of tension between Tehran and Washington.
Traffic through the vital maritime corridor has been severely disrupted. Before the war, the route carried around one-fifth of the world’s hydrocarbons.
Iran has fired on commercial vessels and demanded approval for ships seeking to pass through the strait.
The United States, meanwhile, is maintaining a counterblockade of Iranian ports while increasing economic pressure on Tehran.
