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WorldActive today · day 7

Pezeshkian tells UN Iran will never "bend the knee" to Trump

In a rare wartime address to the General Assembly, Iran's president rejected Trump's "terrorist" label and threat to "annihilate" Iran, as a US delegate walked out.

newest coverage 2h agosummary written 3h ago335 pieces5.9k likes & upvotes209 comments NewswiresMastodonXGoogle NewsYouTubeBlueskyReddit

Part of a larger narrative

US-Iran Military Escalation

19 stories · since Sep 3 · newest 43m ago — The United States and Iran move between military confrontation and diplomatic channels as regional tensions threaten global trade routes and international…

  1. Trump abruptly leaves Camp David for White House amid Iran-Israel escalation fears
  2. Trump, Denmark and Greenland sign Arctic security deal, two new US bases planned
  3. Lee Jae Myung rejects Trump's push to send South Korean troops to Iran
  4. Bessent warns all Iranian airlines will shut down globally by Sept. 23
  5. Pezeshkian tells UN Iran will never "bend the knee" to Trumpyou are here
All 19 stories in this narrative →

What to know

  • Pezeshkian's speech was Iran's first UN address since the US and Israel launched a war on the country earlier in 2026.
  • The exchange follows Trump's own UN threat a day earlier to "annihilate the Islamic Republic" and "drive them into hell."
  • A US delegation official walked out as Pezeshkian spoke, underscoring the diplomatic rupture even as both sides gesture toward possible dialogue.
  • Visa disputes—approving the delegation but blocking Iran's media team—framed tensions around the visit before the speech.

The dispute Whether Trump's "annihilate" threat is a genuine policy signal or empty bluster that Iran and observers should not take seriously. · positions read across 54 posts and comments

most voices

It is hypocritical for the US/Israel to call Iran a terrorist state given Israel's nuclear arsenal and civilian deaths.

  • “Of course they do. Since you're a bit slow to understand my point, it's incredibly rich for any Israel to be pointing fingers at this point in time, ESPECIALLY regarding the topic of dead children.”

    SaltyJunk · Reddit ↗
some voices

Trump's threats are not credible and reflect a leader out of touch with reality or his own military's priorities.

  • “There's a pretty big difference between the commander in chief lying through his teeth and the civilian government being entirely detached from the objectives and priorities of their military counterparts.”

    IRefuseToGiveAName · Reddit ↗
some voices

Despite the rhetoric, Western governments' official stance remains aligned with the US against Iran.

  • “Pretty sure the world agrees on paper. Politicians say what they do but the official EU stance is firmly in America's camp. You even have the Italian navy mobilizing to defend their shipping in the strait.”

    jews4beer · Reddit ↗

Masoud PezeshkianMasoud Pezeshkian Iranian PresidentDonald TrumpDonald Trump US PresidentAbbas AraghchiAbbas Araghchi Iranian Foreign MinisterTrita ParsiTrita Parsi Middle East analyst

Pezeshkian tells UN Iran will never "bend the knee" to Trump
aljazeera.com

How it unfolded 6 developments, newest first · click a bar or a number to jump articlesvideospostscomments

Peak 74 pieces in two hours at Today, 11 AM; 335 pieces over 7 days (213 articles · 16 videos · 98 posts · 8 comments) Sep 16, 7 PM — 1 piece · 1 post — Mastodon 1Sep 16, 9 PM — quietSep 16, 11 PM — quietSep 17, 1 AM — quietSep 17, 3 AM — quietSep 17, 5 AM — quietSep 17, 7 AM — quietSep 17, 9 AM — quietSep 17, 11 AM — 5 pieces · 5 articles — Newswires 5Sep 17, 1 PM — 11 pieces · 8 articles · 3 posts — Newswires 7, Mastodon 3, Google News 1Sep 17, 3 PM — 31 pieces · 28 articles · 3 posts — Newswires 14, Google News 14, Mastodon 2, +1 moreSep 17, 5 PM — 11 pieces · 9 articles · 2 posts — Newswires 6, Google News 3, Mastodon 2Sep 17, 7 PM — quietSep 17, 9 PM — quietSep 17, 11 PM — 2 pieces · 1 article · 1 post — Mastodon 1, Newswires 1Sep 18, 1 AM — quietSep 18, 3 AM — 4 pieces · 1 article · 3 posts — Mastodon 3, Newswires 1Sep 18, 5 AM — quietSep 18, 7 AM — 1 piece · 1 post — Bluesky 1Sep 18, 9 AM — 3 pieces · 2 articles · 1 post — Mastodon 2, Newswires 1Sep 18, 11 AM — 4 pieces · 2 articles · 1 video · 1 post — Newswires 2, Mastodon 1, YouTube 1Sep 18, 1 PM — quietSep 18, 3 PM — quietSep 18, 5 PM — quietSep 18, 7 PM — quietSep 18, 9 PM — quietSep 18, 11 PM — quietSep 19, 1 AM — quietSep 19, 3 AM — quietSep 19, 5 AM — quietSep 19, 7 AM — quietSep 19, 9 AM — quietSep 19, 11 AM — quietSep 19, 1 PM — quietSep 19, 3 PM — quietSep 19, 5 PM — quietSep 19, 7 PM — quietSep 19, 9 PM — quietSep 19, 11 PM — quietSep 20, 1 AM — quietSep 20, 3 AM — quietSep 20, 5 AM — 2 pieces · 2 articles — Google News 2Sep 20, 7 AM — quietSep 20, 9 AM — 1 piece · 1 post — Mastodon 1Sep 20, 11 AM — 1 piece · 1 article — Newswires 1Sep 20, 1 PM — quietSep 20, 3 PM — 1 piece · 1 article — Newswires 1Sep 20, 5 PM — quietSep 20, 7 PM — quietSep 20, 9 PM — quietSep 20, 11 PM — quietSep 21, 1 AM — quietSep 21, 3 AM — quietSep 21, 5 AM — quietSep 21, 7 AM — quietSep 21, 9 AM — 1 piece · 1 article — Newswires 1Sep 21, 11 AM — quietSep 21, 1 PM — 5 pieces · 3 articles · 2 posts — Newswires 3, Reddit 1, X 1Sep 21, 3 PM — quietSep 21, 5 PM — quietSep 21, 7 PM — quietSep 21, 9 PM — quietSep 21, 11 PM — quietYesterday, 1 AM — 1 piece · 1 article — Newswires 1Yesterday, 3 AM — 1 piece · 1 article — Newswires 1Yesterday, 5 AM — 3 pieces · 2 articles · 1 post — Google News 1, Newswires 1, Mastodon 1Yesterday, 7 AM — 7 pieces · 4 articles · 3 posts — Newswires 4, Mastodon 2, X 1Yesterday, 9 AM — 5 pieces · 3 articles · 2 posts — Newswires 2, Google News 1, Bluesky 1, +1 moreYesterday, 11 AM — 10 pieces · 8 articles · 1 video · 1 comment — Newswires 6, Google News 2, YouTube 1, +1 moreYesterday, 1 PM — 2 pieces · 1 article · 1 post — Newswires 1, Reddit 1Yesterday, 3 PM — 5 pieces · 3 articles · 1 video · 1 comment — Newswires 3, Reddit 1, YouTube 1Yesterday, 5 PM — 4 pieces · 1 article · 2 posts · 1 comment — X 1, Mastodon 1, Reddit 1, +1 moreYesterday, 7 PM — 3 pieces · 1 article · 2 posts — Mastodon 1, Reddit 1, Newswires 1Yesterday, 9 PM — quietYesterday, 11 PM — 2 pieces · 1 article · 1 post — Newswires 1, Mastodon 1Today, 1 AM — 7 pieces · 5 articles · 2 posts — Newswires 5, Mastodon 2Today, 3 AM — 15 pieces · 5 articles · 2 videos · 8 posts — Mastodon 7, Newswires 5, YouTube 2, +1 moreToday, 5 AM — 13 pieces · 8 articles · 5 posts — Newswires 8, Mastodon 4, Bluesky 1Today, 7 AM — 16 pieces · 8 articles · 2 videos · 6 posts — Newswires 7, Mastodon 5, YouTube 2, +2 moreToday, 9 AM — 41 pieces · 28 articles · 1 video · 12 posts — Newswires 27, Mastodon 9, Reddit 2, +3 moreToday, 11 AM — 74 pieces · 50 articles · 4 videos · 18 posts · 2 comments — Newswires 50, Mastodon 12, Reddit 5, +2 moreToday, 1 PM — 23 pieces · 15 articles · 8 posts — Newswires 15, Mastodon 7, X 1Today, 3 PM — 10 pieces · 2 articles · 2 videos · 6 posts — Mastodon 3, YouTube 2, Reddit 2, +3 moreToday, 5 PM — 8 pieces · 2 articles · 2 videos · 1 post · 3 comments — Reddit 3, YouTube 2, Google News 1, +2 moreToday, 7 PM — 1 piece · 1 post — Mastodon 1Today, 9 PM — quiet 1234–56
Sep 17Sep 18Sep 19Sep 20Sep 21yesterdaynow · 10:28 PM ET
  1. 6

    Analysts and commentators dismiss Trump's threats as bluster

    Following the dueling speeches, commentary questioned the credibility of Trump's "annihilate" threat, with analyst Trita Parsi calling it a sign of desperation and Slate's op-ed branding it bluster.

    “a sign of his desperation…”
    — Trita Parsi
    1. 11 outlets Iran’s president tells Trump that Tehran will never ‘bend at the knee’

      first by Straits Times, 11h ago · also Indian Express, Le Monde EN, France 24, France 24 EN, The Hill, Politico +4

      7 more headlines
    2. 6 outlets Iran ‘victim of US terrorism’, says Pezeshkian at UNGA; vows to block Strait of Hormuz ‘aggression’

      first by Hindustan Times, 11h ago · also France 24 EN, Times of India, Middle East Eye, France 24, Euronews

      5 more headlines

    • Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian points out the absurdity and hypocrisy of the US waging a war against Iran over nukes [it doesn’t have] when Israel is the only country in the Middle East with nukes: “Atomic and nuclear bombs are in the hands of the Israeli regime, but the

      @ProudSocialistX10h ago1.8k▲view on X ↗
    2 more of the top 3 · 27 posts in this stretch
    • eldiario.es

      ÚLTIMA HORA | El presidente iraní, Pezeshkian, responde a Trump en la ONU: “Nos tacha de terroristas y somos víctimas del terrorismo, solo nos defendemos”

      eldiario.esBluesky12h ago33▲view on Bluesky ↗
    • GeoWire@mastodon.social

      🔴 BREAKING Iranian President Pezeshkian Addresses UNGA Amidst US-Israel Conflict Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian delivered his first UN General Assembly speech since the US and Israel launched a conflict with Iran. The address follows US President Donald Trump's warning at the UNGA that he could 'annihilate the Islamic Republic' and 'drive…

      GeoWire@mastodon.socialMastodon11h ago2▲view on Mastodon ↗
    all of them →
  2. 5

    US delegate walks out during Pezeshkian's speech

    An official from the US delegation walked out of the chamber as Iran's president began his speech criticizing the war launched by the US and Israel.

    • democracynow.org

      President Trump addressed the United Nations on Tuesday and threatened to "annihilate the Islamic Republic." Analyst Trita Parsi says that while Trump may think such language projects strength, the Iranians interpret it as "a sign of his desperation" to end the war he started.

      democracynow.orgBluesky14h ago807▲view on Bluesky ↗
    2 more of the top 3 · 7 posts in this stretch

    • 🇮🇷🇺🇸🇺🇳 At the UN, Iran’s President Pezeshkian displayed images of children killed in the Minab school strike. He also pointed to the situation in Gaza, reminding that tens of thousands of civilians have been killed... And that Israel has cut off food, water, and medicine.

      @MarioNawfalX14h ago18▲view on X ↗
    • GeoWire@mastodon.social

      🟠 UPDATE UNGA Day 2 Agenda: Iran War, AI, and Climate Change Iranian President Massoud Pezeshkian is scheduled to address the UN General Assembly Wednesday in his first speech at the world body since the US and Israel launched the Iran war. 📰 https://www. france24.com/en/americas/20260…

      GeoWire@mastodon.socialMastodon16h ago2▲view on Mastodon ↗
    all of them →
  3. 4

    Pezeshkian delivers defiant UN speech

    In his first UN address since the US-Israel war on Iran began, Pezeshkian said Iran had been a "victim of terrorism," displayed images of civilians including children killed in strikes such as one on Minab, and vowed Iran would never bow to force while still favoring diplomacy.

    “US president described us as terrorists. We have been the victims of terrorism…”
    — Masoud Pezeshkian
    1. 8 outlets Iran's president blames U.S., Israel for global instability in defiant UN speech

      first by CNBC, 11h ago · also Philadelphia Inquirer, NBC News, Middle East Eye, NPR, Globe and Mail, Japan Today +1

      6 more headlines
    2. 5 outlets Iran’s president in wartime address at UN: We have been ‘victims of terrorism’

      first by Orlando Sentinel, 12h ago · also Philadelphia Inquirer, NY Post, Mercury News, Baltimore Sun

      2 more headlines
    2 more claims →

    • Iranian President Pezeshkian displays images of victims of Israeli attacks during UN address —— Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian displayed photographs of victims of the US-Israeli attacks during his address to the UN General Assembly, including children killed in the Minab

      @TheCradleMediaX17h ago1.8k▲view on X ↗
    2 more of the top 3 · 8 posts in this stretch
    • GeoWire@mastodon.social

      🟠 UPDATE Zelenskyy to Address UN General Assembly on Ukraine UN Secretary-General António Guterres is addressing the General Assembly during his final term, warning of deteriorating multilateral cooperation. The article also notes high-level talks between US President Donald Trump and Iranian mediators described as 'very good', alongside…

      GeoWire@mastodon.socialMastodon17h ago1▲view on Mastodon ↗
    • GeoWire@mastodon.social

      🔴 BREAKING Trump Threatens Iran Annihilation Amidst Diplomatic Talks and Ukraine Discussions US President Trump threatened to 'annihilate' Iran while simultaneously reporting successful three-hour mediation talks with Iranian officials. Concurrently, Trump met with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy to discuss ending the war before... 📰 https://www…

      GeoWire@mastodon.socialMastodon17h ago1▲view on Mastodon ↗
    all of them →
  4. 3

    Trump threatens to "annihilate" Iran at UN

    Addressing the UN a day before Pezeshkian, Trump threatened to "annihilate the Islamic Republic" if a peace deal was not reached, while separately signaling he was privately open to meeting Iranian officials in New York "if the conditions are right."

    “...do I annihilate the Islamic republic? …Do I drive them into hell?”
    — Donald Trump

    1. 6 outlets first by Wall Street Journal, 1d ago · also El Pais English, El País, Foreign Policy, NYT, PBS NewsHour · read ↗

    2. 1 outlet first by Times of India, 20h ago · read ↗

    1 more claim →

    • Iran's President Dr. Masoud Pezeshkian has Arrived in New York for the United Nations General Assembly He is set to speak tomorrow at the UN near mid-day. I give him a lot of credit for entering a country that he is at war with. Tomorrow should be intresting.

      @RyanRozbianiX1d ago116▲view on X ↗
    2 more of the top 3 · 7 posts in this stretch
    • aronlund.bsky.social

      Iran, US hint at revival of talks – @phreuters.bsky.social & Samia Nakhoul, @reuters.com.

      aronlund.bsky.socialBluesky1d ago1▲view on Bluesky ↗

    • Iran’s President Heads to New York, a First for a Nation at War With the U.S. https://www. nytimes.com/2026/09/22/world/m iddleeast/iran-war-un-general-assembly-pezeshkian.html?utm_source=flipboard&utm_medium=activitypub Posted into News @ news-thenewsdesk

      thenewsdesk@flipboard.comMastodon1d agoview on Mastodon ↗
    all of them →
  5. 2

    US denies visas to Iran's UN media team

    Despite approving the core delegation, the US denied visas to members of Pezeshkian's media team, which Iran said was intended to silence its coverage of the visit.

    “Just like during the World Cup, the U.S. has DENIED visas to members of President Masoud Pezeshkian's media team despite approving his core delegation.”
    — @RyanRozbiani
    1. 1 outlet Iranian president’s media team denied US visa, says official

      first by Anadolu Agency, 2d ago

    • U.S. Blocks Iran's Media Team From UN Visit The Visa Shenanigans Begin AGAIN. Just like during the World Cup, the U.S. has DENIED visas to members of President Masoud Pezeshkian's media team despite approving his core delegation. Iran says the move is designed to SILENCE its

      @RyanRozbianiX2d ago943▲view on X ↗
  6. 3 days quiet
  7. 1

    US approves visas for Iran's UNGA delegation

    The US approved visas for top Iranian officials, including President Pezeshkian and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, to attend the UN General Assembly high-level meetings in New York.

    “The BBC understands Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi are among the delegates allowed to enter the US.”
    — BBC News
    1. 16 outlets U.S. Approves Visas for Iranian Leaders to Attend U.N. Meetings in New York

      first by The Washington Sun, 6d ago · also Independent UK, CTV News, Washington Times, AP News, Toronto Star, Boston Globe +9

      9 more headlines
    2. 11 outlets U.S. will let Iranian leaders attend U.N. General Assembly in New York

      first by Washington Post, 6d ago · also Al-Monitor, ThePrint, Reuters, Anadolu Agency, Times of Israel, Al Jazeera +4

      9 more headlines
    12 more claims →
    • mrsdeborahlynn.bsky.social

      apnews.com/article/trum... Trump administration has approved visas for top Iranian officials, including the president and foreign minister, to attend next week’s U.N. General Assembly high-level meeting in New York.

      mrsdeborahlynn.bsky.socialBluesky5d ago13▲view on Bluesky ↗
    2 more of the top 3 · 4 posts in this stretch
    • GeoWire@mastodon.social

      ⚡ NEWS US Allows Iranian Delegation to Attend UN Meetings in New York The US has granted entry visas to Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi to attend United Nations meetings in New York. This diplomatic development occurs as the regional conflict involving Iran passes its half-year mark, signaling a potential…

      GeoWire@mastodon.socialMastodon6d ago1▲view on Mastodon ↗
    • GeoWire@mastodon.social

      🟠 UPDATE US Allows Iranian Delegation to Attend UN Meetings in New York The Iranian delegation to the UN General Assembly will be smaller this year, with specific travel restrictions and limits on luxury goods purchases. 📰 https://www. aljazeera.com/news/2026/9/17/u…

      GeoWire@mastodon.socialMastodon6d ago1▲view on Mastodon ↗
    all of them →

Also covered reported alongside — the timeline has no entry for these yet

  1. 5 outlets Iranian president accuses US of ‘terrorism’ and flouting international law in defiant UN speech

    first by Independent UK, 10h ago · also Courthouse News, Courthouse News Service, El Pais English, The Independent

    2 more headlines
  2. 4 outlets Pezeshkian says Iran won’t surrender, after Trump’s annihilation threat

    first by Investing.com News, 11h ago · also Dawn, SCMP, Al-Monitor

    2 more headlines
  3. 3 outlets Iran’s President Says Open to Talks but Won’t Bow to U.S.

    first by WSJ, 11h ago · also New Republic, The Hindu

    2 more headlines
  4. 3 outlets US delegation walks out as Iran’s Pezeshkian angrily responds to Trump at UN General Assembly - live

    first by Mastodon, 11h ago · also Daily Wire, Al Jazeera

    2 more headlines
  5. 3 outlets US and Iran hold first talks since June after Trump's 'annihilation' threat

    first by BBC, 20h ago · also Sydney Morning Herald, BBC Middle East

    1 more headline
  6. 3 outlets Iran, US hint at revival of talks as Trump, Pezeshkian due to attend UN

    first by Reuters, 1d ago · also CNN, Al-Monitor

    1 more headline
  7. 2 outlets Iran's president says Tehran will not surrender in war with US, but believes in diplomacy

    first by Al-Monitor, 11h ago · also The Hindu

    1 more headline
  8. 2 outlets US President warns Tehran at UN but says talks ongoing

    first by France 24, 10h ago · also France 24 EN

  9. 2 outlets U.N. Live Updates: Iran's President to Address World Leaders After Trump Threat

    first by New York Times, 10h ago · also NYT

  10. 2 outlets Trump addresses UN with mixture of boasts, threats and jibes | First Thing

    first by Guardian US, 14h ago · also Guardian

and 31 smaller pieces

What people are saying 14 voices from 4 sites · best of 54 · verbatim

Still unanswered
  • Will the US and Iran actually hold direct talks despite the visa disputes and walkout?
  • Does Trump's private openness to a meeting reflect real diplomatic intent or posturing?