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Iranian regime’s president Masoud Pezeshkian’s address at the UN General Assembly was filled with contradictions, selective omissions, and misleading claims intended to divert attention from the clerical regime’s destabilizing actions. While he spoke of peace, cooperation, and human rights, his words starkly contradicted the reality of the regime’s actions at home and abroad.
During his speech, Pezeshkian painted a rosy picture of Iran, claiming, “I intend to lay the foundations for my country’s entry into a new era and play a constructive and effective role in the emerging global order.”
He boasted of winning the presidential election without acknowledging the widespread boycott by an overwhelming portion of the Iranian population. In an attempt to further appeal to the international community, he declared, “We are ready to set aside all our weapons, provided Israel does the same, and an international organization guarantees security in the region.”
In his speech, Pezeshkian claimed, “Foreign powers are the source of instability in the region, and their presence is temporary.” He presented Iran’s regime as a regional stabilizer while failing to mention its extensive support for militant groups in Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Yemen, and Palestine. Instead, he described these Iranian-backed forces as “liberation and popular movements,” asserting that “outsourcing security to foreign powers benefits none of the countries in the region.”
Pezeshkian Strengthens Ties with the #IRGC and MOIS, Committing to Advance the #Iranian Regime’s Malign Agendahttps://t.co/heaN9PA6DF
— NCRI-FAC (@iran_policy) September 10, 2024
However, Pezeshkian omitted the Iranian regime’s ongoing arms supplies and logistical support to these groups, which have been crucial in prolonging conflicts. Notably, prior to his inauguration, Pezeshkian privately met with leaders of Iran-backed militias, where he reaffirmed, “Support for the axis of resistance is one of the strategic principles of the Islamic Republic.”
Regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Pezeshkian proposed a referendum where “Muslims, Jews, and Christians can live together in peace, free from apartheid and racism.” He claimed that this was the only way to peace, ignoring the widespread international support for a two-state solution, which the regime has continually dismissed.
Pezeshkian’s inconsistency on regional issues became even more evident during an interview with CNN’s Fareed Zakaria. In his conversation with Zakaria, Pezeshkian shifted his stance on regional peace, warning, “Hezbollah cannot stand alone against Israel; Islamic nations must take action.” He added, “We must not let Lebanon become another Gaza in Israel’s hands,” signaling Tehran’s commitment to fueling regional tensions while publicly calling for peace.
Pezeshkian also touched on Iran’s nuclear program, presenting Tehran as a cooperative player unfairly targeted by sanctions. “Iran and global powers achieved the JCPOA by focusing on opportunities, and we accepted the highest level of nuclear oversight in exchange for recognizing Iran’s rights and lifting sanctions,” he said, adding that “Trump’s unilateral withdrawal from the JCPOA demonstrated a threat-based, power-driven approach.”
#Iran News:
Regime’s President-elect Pezeshkian Reaffirms Support for #Hezbollah and Regional Terrorismhttps://t.co/fCdhmbAyx7— NCRI-FAC (@iran_policy) July 9, 2024
However, Pezeshkian failed to mention Tehran’s numerous violations of the agreement, including accelerating its nuclear enrichment and obstructing inspections by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). While claiming that Iran’s nuclear ambitions are peaceful, Pezeshkian ignored the regime’s refusal to provide transparent answers about its nuclear activities.
The contradiction lies in Pezeshkian’s promise to revive the JCPOA during his presidential campaign, despite the fact that the Strategic Action Plan to Lift Sanctions, passed by the regime’s parliament, actively hinders any revival of the agreement. This law mandates an acceleration of Iran’s nuclear activities, such as increased uranium enrichment and limits on IAEA inspections, making it nearly impossible to return to the terms of the original deal. Additionally, this plan has the full backing of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who, on numerous occasions, supported the hardline approach of escalating nuclear advancements as leverage.
He further claimed that “Iran has never sought to occupy another nation’s land or exploit their resources,” which sharply contradicts Tehran’s regional interference and military entrenchment through proxies in Syria, Iraq, and Lebanon.
On the war in Ukraine, Pezeshkian attempted to project Iran as a neutral actor, stating, “We seek peace for all, and we have no conflict with anyone. We also call for a sustainable peace for the people of Ukraine and Russia.”
These remarks come despite the regime’s direct involvement in supplying drones and missiles to Russia.
#Iran News:
Ahead of Inauguration, Regime President Pezeshkian Reaffirms Support for Foreign Mercenarieshttps://t.co/RXXWzokYoP— NCRI-FAC (@iran_policy) July 30, 2024
In a meeting with some Iranians in the U.S. who support the regime, Pezeshkian claimed that “Iran is far safer and freer than how it is portrayed,” insisting that the image of Iran in the media does not reflect the true situation. He further stated, “Iran belongs to all Iranians, both those living inside and those abroad.” However, this rosy portrayal of human rights in Iran directly conflicts with the reality on the ground. Reports from Amnesty International have shown that the regime was responsible for nearly 75% of recorded executions worldwide in 2023, with political dissidents, activists, and ethnic minorities being disproportionately targeted. Despite Pezeshkian’s claims, some Iranians who return to the country face imprisonment or become victims of the regime’s hostage diplomacy.
Pezeshkian’s speech at the UN was nothing more than a diversion, carefully orchestrated by Supreme Leader Khamenei to obscure the regime’s true intentions. By presenting Pezeshkian as a moderate voice on the global stage, Khamenei seeks to ease international isolation, lift sanctions, and buy time for Iran’s nuclear weapons program. The real aim is clear: securing a financial lifeline to support the regime’s domestic crackdown and maintain its war machine in the Middle East, all while deceiving the world with hollow promises of peace.
