Iranian president brutally calls out Trump at UN, says regime will never 'bend the knee'

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian used the UN stage to fire back at Donald Trump, declaring Tehran would never “bend the knee.” He said months of war and mounting US pressure had only hardened Iran’s resolve, accusing Washington of pursuing a “bullying mentality.” Pezeshkian insisted Iran remained open to diplomacy, but only if negotiations came without what he described as threats and coercion. He also demanded an end to the US blockade on Iranian shipping, arguing Tehran could not be denied access to the Strait of Hormuz. He also repeated Tehran’s claim that it does not seek nuclear weapons while refusing to surrender its civilian nuclear programme. The showdown came as indirect US-Iran talks resumed in New York, with both sides still deeply divided.