NEW YORK — Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian, in his debut speech to the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), has reiterated his call for global peace and justice, which he said, cannot be accomplished unless the rights of all people, communities and nations are respected within the framework of justice and fairness.
Addressing the 79th session of the UNGA in New York on Tuesday, Pezeshkian began by congratulating the UN chief and expressed hope that the important issues of the meeting, that is, Peace, Sustainable Development and Human Dignity would help open a clear horizon for current and future generations.
The Iranian president touched on a wide range of issues facing the world today, especially the West Asia region, ranging from Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza and the crimes in Lebanon to Iran’s peacemaking efforts as well as its effective role in the emerging global system.
While stating that Israel’s recent terrorist crimes and the widespread aggression against Lebanon will not go unanswered, Pezeshkian said the only way to end the decades-long nightmare of insecurity in West Asia and the world is to restore the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination.
Speaking about nuclear deal, Iranian President said, “We are ready to engage with participants of the 2015 nuclear deal. If the deal’s commitments are implemented fully and in good faith, dialogue on other issues can follow,” Pezeshkian said.
Then-President Donald Trump abandoned the 2015 nuclear pact between Tehran and six world powers in 2018 and reimposed tough sanctions on Iran. Efforts to revive the pact have failed.
The 2015 deal, which then-President Donald Trump abandoned in 2018, had capped Iran’s uranium enrichment at 3.67% purity and its stockpile of this material at 202.8 kg (447 pounds) – limits Tehran has since far exceeded.
For Britain, France and Germany, who remain party to the nuclear deal, there is a sense that Tehran’s leadership will not change course and that a broader accord encompassing the nuclear programme and Iran’s geopolitical role is unrealistic for now.
The United States, its European allies and Israel accuse Tehran of using its nuclear programme as a veil for efforts to try to develop the capability to produce weapons. Iran says its nuclear programme is for peaceful purposes only.
Tehran’s relations with the West have worsened since the Iranian-backed Hamas militant group attacked southern Israel on Oct. 7 and as Tehran has increased its support for Russia’s war in Ukraine.
Pezeshkian, a relatively moderate politician who took office in August promising a pragmatic foreign policy, criticized Iran’s arch-foe Israel for what he called “its genocide in Gaza.”
“It is imperative that the international community should immediately … secure a permanent ceasefire in Gaza and bring an end to the desperate barbarism of Israel in Lebanon, before it engulfs the region and the world,” he said. — Agencies
