Iran's president delivers wartime address at UN: We have been 'victims of terrorism'

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — Iran’s president said Wednesday that his people have been “victims of terrorism” by the United States, delivering a rare wartime speech at U.N. General Assembly a day after President Donald Trump said he could “annihilate” the Islamic republic.

In a defiant speech, President Masoud Pezeshkian held up large photos of the late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and the more than 150 school Iranian children killed on the first days of the war.

“We have only defended ourselves. We are not terrorists,” Pezeshkian said at the General Assembly. “Our innocent people have been the targets of cowardly attacks and aggressions imposed upon our country. And we defended ourselves with utmost strength. America and Israel attacked us.”

He added of the United States: “Yes they did hit us, but we did not bend the knee.” Toward the end of his speech, Pezeshkian called out Trump by name.

“It must be understood by Mr. Trump and those who seek to bully us that we are ready for dialogue and diplomacy and negotiations without accepting the language of force,” he said.

He also said one thing that was measurably false: "We did not hit civilian populations.” Mariners and migrant workers in the region have been among the civilians killed in Iran’s attacks since the war began.

Arriving in New York under heavy security and scrutiny, Pezeshkian — who, within Iran’s political landscape, is considered a moderate politician — addressed world leaders a day after Trump used the same stage to suggest he may “annihilate” the Islamic Republic if a deal isn’t reached soon to end the nearly seven-month war.

Hours later, Trump told reporters that his chief envoys, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, met for about three hours with the Iranian officials on the sidelines of the annual gathering. But he offered few details about how the discussions transpired or the substance of the exchange.

“It was a very good meeting,” Trump said. The president later added that the Iranian officials were “not the highest level, but it’s something.” Also on Tuesday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Trump is open to meeting with Pezeshkian while he’s in New York.

But Tehran downplayed Tuesday's unscheduled exchange, which were the first indirect talks between U.S. and Iranian officials since a June ceasefire unraveled. Esmail Baghaei, an Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson, maintained the country's negotiating position in talks with U.S. officials, demanding that Washington end its blockade of Iranian ports and release frozen Iranian assets,

Baghaei said the talks — conducted indirectly through Qatari mediators — were “not anything new.”

Pezeshkian's address elaborated on where Tehran stands as more than a year of start-stop negotiations between the two longtime adversaries have failed to produce a sustainable solution. His speech came as intermittent attacks continued in the Strait of Hormuz off Iran’s coast, where commercial shipping remained below prewar levels.

His address last year came months after the 12-day Israel-Iran war that saw the assassination of many of the Islamic Republic’s highest military and political leaders and once again broke down weeks of negotiations with the United States.

“Ladies and gentlemen, you all bore witness that this past June, my country was subjected to a savage aggression and flagrant contravention of the most elementary principles of international law,” Pezeshkian said at the time.

Demonstrators against the Iranian regime protest outside of the United Nations headquarters during the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Madison Swart)

Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian speaks during the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly at United Nations headquarters, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026. (AP Photo/Heather Khalifa)

The front pages of Iranian newspapers show portraits of the Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, and headlines regarding the Shajareh Tayyebeh school that was hit in a Feb. 28 U.S. airstrike in Minab, at a square in northern Tehran, Iran, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)

In this photo released by the Iranian Presidency Office, President Masoud Pezeshkian waves to media and officials as he boards his plane while leaving Mehrabad airport for New York to attend the UN General Assembly, in Tehran, Iran, Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2026. (Iranian Presidency Office via AP)

MINNEAPOLIS & ST. PAUL, Minn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sep 23, 2026--

Children's Minnesota is pleased to announce it has been recognized as one of America’s Best-In-State Employers 2026 by Forbes. This prestigious award is determined by direct feedback from employees and members of the public through an independent survey, rather than an organization-led application process.

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This recognition reinforces Children's Minnesota as an industry leader, with a positive work culture deeply rooted in its mission to champion the health needs of all children and families.

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Forbes and Statista selected America’s Best-In-State Employers 2026 through an independent survey from a vast sample of over 245,000 U.S. employees working for companies employing at least 500 people within the U.S. Over 2 million employer evaluations were considered. The final score is based on two types of employee evaluations: personal (those given by employees themselves) and public (those given by friends and family members of employees, or members of the public who work in the same industry).

“Being named one of Forbes’ America’s Best-In-State Employers is especially meaningful because this recognition reflects the voices of employees and our community,” said Laurin Cathey, chief human resources officer at Children’s Minnesota. “Our kid experts are the heart of Children’s Minnesota, and to know they feel proud of the work we do, the culture we’ve built and the way we care for one another is incredibly rewarding. When our kid experts feel valued, supported and proud of where they work, they are better able to bring their very best to every patient and family we serve."

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Children’s Minnesota is one of the largest pediatric health systems in the United States and the only one in Minnesota devoted exclusively to children, from before birth through young adulthood. An independent and not-for-profit system for more than 100 years, Children’s Minnesota offers more than 100 pediatric specialties through its two hospitals, nine primary care clinics, seven rehabilitation and eight specialty care sites throughout the Twin Cities metro area. The Kid Experts® at Children’s Minnesota are chosen by more families than any other pediatric health system in the region.

Survey respondents were asked how likely they were to recommend their employer and were asked to assess their workplace based on criteria including wages and benefits, management style, company reputation, flexibility and career advancement opportunities. Participants were also asked to evaluate their previous employers (within the last two years) and organizations they knew within their industry or through friends or family who work there.