Iran's president criticizes Trump as 'bully' in UN speech, signals openness to talks

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian used a speech at the United Nations General Assembly in New York to criticize former US President Donald Trump, describing the United States as a "bully" while also signaling Tehran's willingness to engage in talks.

Pezeshkian said Iran is ready for dialogue and diplomacy, but added that any such engagement must come "without the language of force," a reference to the pressure and military threats Iran says it has faced from the United States and Israel.

The speech marked Pezeshkian's first address to the General Assembly since the United States and Israel launched what was described as an all-out war on Iran. In his remarks, he repeatedly vowed that Tehran would not submit to American pressure, framing the conflict in terms of resistance to what he characterized as bullying and terrorism directed at the Middle East.

A defiant tone paired with a diplomatic opening

Pezeshkian's combination of sharp criticism and a stated openness to dialogue reflects a balancing act often seen in Iranian diplomacy at the UN, projecting strength for a domestic and regional audience while leaving room for potential negotiations.

The speech is likely to be closely analyzed by Western governments for signs of how much room exists for renewed diplomatic engagement with Tehran, even as rhetoric between Iran and the United States remains sharply adversarial.