Iran calls for Middle East unity at UN amid proxy war claims

During the 79th United Nations General Assembly, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian addressed the assembly, asserting Iran's role as a peacemaker in the Middle East. He claimed that Iran has never initiated a war and has only defended itself against external aggression. This statement starkly contrasts with Iran's known involvement in proxy wars in Syria and Yemen, which have exacerbated tensions with Sunni nations like Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Pezeshkian also criticized Israel, accusing it of supporting terrorism while emphasizing Iran's commitment to regional unity and security. He stated that Iran does not occupy territories or exploit resources from other nations, positioning the country as a defender rather than an aggressor. However, these claims are undermined by Iran's alliances with adversarial nations such as Russia and North Korea, particularly in light of its support for Russia's military efforts in Ukraine. In his speech, Pezeshkian expressed a desire to improve relations with the United States, despite the ongoing sanctions and the fallout from the 2015 nuclear agreement. He referred to the U.S. sanctions as a "crime against humanity" and called for a new diplomatic era, hoping to gain favor with certain political factions in Washington and Europe. Despite his optimistic rhetoric, Pezeshkian's comments are unlikely to resonate positively across the political spectrum in the U.S., especially as Iran continues to advance its nuclear program. The speech reflects Iran's complex geopolitical stance and its attempts to navigate international relations amid ongoing tensions and conflicts in the region.