Iran condemns US but ready for dialogue

Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian has said his country is not afraid of fighting a war but is ready for dialogue and diplomacy.

Pezeshkian delivered a speech at the UN General Assembly in New York on Wednesday.

At the beginning, he showed a portrait of former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in an attack by the United States and Israel, as well as a photo of children he said were killed by US and Israeli weapons.

Pezeshkian said that the US president described Iranians as terrorists, but they have been the victims of terrorism.

The Iranian president said that the US imposed the war on Iran, but his country has proved that Iranians are not afraid of fighting a war.

Regarding the Strait of Hormuz, he said Iran cannot let some have free access and benefit from the waterway while at the same time using it to attack Iran. This was also an apparent reference to the US, which is continuing to blockade the strait.

He said, however, that Iran is ready for dialogue and diplomacy without accepting the language of force.

Pezeshkian cited Iran's nuclear development, which is one of the targets of US military operations. He claimed the program is for peaceful purposes, saying Tehran has made clear it will not manufacture nuclear weapons.

The US delegation walked out during the speech.

The US and Iran held talks through mediators on Tuesday to discuss conditions to open the Strait of Hormuz, among other issues.

In a report, Reuters news agency quoted a senior Iranian official as saying many differences still remain between the two sides.

A group opposing the Iranian government staged a protest around the UN headquarters to coincide with Pezeshkian's speech. The protesters said the regime does not represent the people of Iran. They demanded accountability for what they called the government's human rights abuses and crimes against humanity.

A man said he had moved from Iran to the US with his parents about 50 years ago and traveled from Michigan to take part in the protest. He described the current situation as "a critical moment." He said the Iranian government is "trouble for the whole world," not just for the Iranian people or the Middle East. "Hopefully, we are going to get rid of this government soon," he added.