Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian vowed Tuesday to “firmly defend” his country’s positions as he departed for New York to attend the United Nations General Assembly, where he is due to address world leaders on Wednesday, The Hindu reported.
“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,” Pezeshkian said before leaving Iran, according to Iranian state television.
Pezeshkian is expected to use the annual gathering to present Iran’s position vis-a-vis the ongoing conflict with the United States and Israel. He said the UN forum would be an opportunity to express Iran’s grievances and its strength to the international community.
The diplomatic delegation from Tehran is being led by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who arrived in New York on Monday. He spoke on the phone with UN, Iranian state media reported the arrival of Secretary-General António Guterres.
The United States has cleared some members of the Iranian delegation to travel but has placed restrictions on their movements. The US says Pezeshkian’s communications team has been denied visas, according to the State Department.
