The United States delegation to the United Nations exited the General Assembly Hall in New York on Wednesday as Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian displayed images of children allegedly killed by United States strikes, Raw Story reported. This move left the Iranian president to finish his address to an empty section of the hall previously occupied by the American team.
The incident occurred during an intense session at the United Nations, taking place just one day after President Donald Trump issued a threat to annihilate Iran from the same podium. President Pezeshkian used his time at the microphone to deliver a sharp condemnation of the current administration. He specifically referenced the recent start of a war against Iran initiated by President Donald Trump.
During his speech, President Pezeshkian addressed the accusations leveled against his country. “Yesterday, the United States president described us as terrorists. We have been the victims of terrorism,” Pezeshkian said, according to the U.N. live translator. “I come from an Iran in which our esteemed supreme leader was assassinated without any legal framework or reason; I come from an Iran where in truth, they bombed a school.”
President Pezeshkian specifically highlighted the Shajareh Tayyebeh girls’ elementary school
The Shajareh Tayyebeh girls’ elementary school was hit by a double tap strike involving United States-made Tomahawk missiles. Reports indicate that at least 156 people died in that attack, including 120 children.
While President Donald Trump initially attempted to place the blame for the school strike on Iran, subsequent reporting made it clear that the United States was the party responsible. Another strike on a sports hall reportedly resulted in the deaths of 22 civilians and caused significant damage to a nearby school.
President Pezeshkian held up photographs of children he identified as victims of United States military actions. “You see these children? These children perished under bombs with weapons used by the United States and Israel,” Pezeshkian said. He continued his address by detailing the nature of the weapons used in these conflicts.
“They were innocent, had committed no crimes. A sports hall where children were busy playing, the United States, by using weapons with multiple warheads, targeted that sports hall. They martyred, assassinated our scientists, our men, women and children. Innocent children who in truth had committed no crimes, no sins!”
The atmosphere in the General Assembly Hall remained tense as the United States delegation walked out while the president continued his remarks. He concluded his segment by directly challenging the labels applied to his nation. “Those who are terrorists and train and protect terrorists describe us as such,” Pezeshkian stated.
He emphasized his position that his country has only acted in self-defense and is not a terrorist state.
Published: Sep 23, 2026 04:59 pm