Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian delivered a sharp attack on Israel during his address to the United Nations General Assembly on September 23, 2026. He accused Israel of targeting any neighborhood in any city or province and of carrying out assassinations “like a true terrorist.” Pezeshkian further claimed that more than 80,000 innocent civilians have been murdered in Gaza. The remarks formed part of a broader defiant speech that also responded to recent U.S. threats against Iran.

The address came one day after President Trump’s UN speech in which he spoke of a possible decision to annihilate the Islamic Republic. It took place against the backdrop of ongoing regional conflict that has included strikes inside Iran earlier in 2026. While Gaza Health Ministry figures place the death toll lower, near 73,000 to 74,000 since October 2023, Pezeshkian’s higher number and strong language underscored Tehran’s position. The speech is likely to deepen the diplomatic divide as both sides continue to trade accusations amid a fragile and frequently violated ceasefire.