Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian condemned the United States for terrorism during a rare wartime address at the UN General Assembly, displaying images of the late supreme leader Ali Khamenei and over 150 schoolchildren killed early in the conflict. He declared, “We have only defended ourselves. We are not terrorists,” asserting that America and Israel initiated the attacks. Regarding the Strait of Hormuz, Pezeshkian argued against unrestricted access that enables aggression and warned that expanding warfare yields no security.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged delegates to recognize the devastating scale of the war, warning that even a partial victory would be insufficient for Vladimir Putin, who will inevitably target other Ukrainian cities. Zelenskyy highlighted that Russia has launched over 2,100 missiles, including more than 950 ballistic missiles and hourly Shahed drones, to disrupt the economy and civilian life. He emphasized that Ukraine did not choose this war, following his recent meeting with US President Donald Trump, who claimed peace would come quickly, despite separate Washington-Moscow talks and the subsequent invitation to Putin for the G20 summit in Miami.
Estonia’s President Alar Karis warned that mutual dependence is now viewed as a critical vulnerability, as aggression and conflict become the new normal, causing immense suffering globally. He called for immediate action on climate change and global crises, noting that Estonia is doing its part. It is his final UN speech before being succeeded by ombudsman and constitutional lawyer Ülle Madise next month.
Argentine President Javier Milei delivered a scathing critique of the United Nations, calling it a useless organization sustained by arrogant bureaucrats. He accused the UN of failing to defend human rights by voting against Israel while ignoring Islamic terrorism and the genocide of Christians in Africa. Milei escalated his rhetoric on the Falkland Islands, asserting they are a national cause and that the UN failed to enforce its own resolutions regarding the Malvinas. He criticized the Sea Lion Project as an unlawful act and demanded the UK resume negotiations, warning that Argentina will not remain indifferent to resource exploitation under illegal occupation. He threatened that Argentina would take matters into its own hands and condemned the UN as a bureaucratic leviathan exhibiting impotence and Orwellian control.
“That’s why the Malvinas are not merely an issue between Argentina and the United Kingdom. They also raise a question regarding the ability of this organisation to enforce its own resolutions.”
“We call on the United Kingdom to resume negotiations with a view to finding a peaceful solution to the sovereignty dispute as required by international law.”
“I have come to tell you that Argentina is not going to sit around waiting for the UN and the international community to live up to their own mandate. We’re going to take matters into our own hands.”
Czech President Petr Pavel warned of an emerging power vacuum where might replaces right, directly threatening European security with Russia’s aggressive posture. He noted that Russia’s war has undermined global food security, affecting vulnerable nations far beyond Europe. Pavel also discussed Czechia’s bid for a UN Security Council seat and the challenges of governing artificial intelligence.
“The consequences of aggression reach far beyond Europe. Russia’s war has undermined global food security, disrupting agricultural production, exports and supply chains. Its effects are felt in my country, but even more acutely in parts of Africa and elsewhere, particularly in countries that depend on stable and affordable food supplies.”
Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio revealed that both Russia and Ukraine have expressed interest in a limited ceasefire focusing on grain and energy, following his meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. He stated the US is open to playing a constructive role in facilitating such an agreement.
Syria’s interim president Ahmad al-Sharaa harshly criticized Israel’s occupation of southern Syria, stating that the Golan Heights is an inseparable part of his country. He noted that Israel has carried out over 500 air and artillery strikes and 1,200 land incursions, detaining nearly 300 people since he took power. In response, Israel’s ambassador Danny Danon reasserted Israel’s claim to the Golan Heights, stating that no speech will change reality.
The US delegation notably walked out in protest during Pezeshkian’s speech.
Paraguay’s president Santiago Peña called for Venezuela’s reintegration into the South American trade bloc Mercosur, which has indefinitely suspended Venezuela. Chile’s president Jose Antonio Kast, an associate member, is scheduled to meet Venezuelan interim president Delcy Rodriguez on the sidelines of the General Assembly. Peña also expressed his desire for a genuine and lasting democratic transition in Venezuela.
Cyprus’s President Nikos Christodoulides urged Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to implement the UN charter, calling out Turkey’s hypocrisy regarding the illegal invasion of Cyprus. He highlighted that over a third of Cyprus’s territory remains under Turkish occupation, with tens of thousands displaced and Varosha sealed off. He demanded meaningful negotiations and stated that partition will not be accepted, reiterating Cyprus’s unwavering determination to reunite the island.
double quotation markThe international order is not simply changing. It is being tested in an unprecedented way.
But it is in such times of uncertainty that the fundamental values of multilateralism must be protected:
International law. The charter of the United Nations. Respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity. The peaceful resolution of disputes. Respect for human rights. The equality of states.
double quotation markUN Resolutions cannot be applied in one case and ignored in another.
And the sovereignty and territorial integrity of a state cannot depend on its size, its strength, or the passage of time.
This is not just an issue that concerns Cyprus.
It concerns the credibility of the international system itself.
double quotation markMr Erdoğan, if you wish to invoke the charter, you must first implement it.
I remain fully committed to achieving a comprehensive solution.
I am ready to resume negotiations from where they were interrupted in 2017, building on the substantial work that has already been accomplished, within the agreed United Nations framework.
double quotation markFor my part, let me repeat, I am absolutely committed.
Because partition will not be accepted. This cannot and will not be the future of my homeland and my people. Never. Our determination to reunite our island is unwavering.