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Iran’s President Tells UN Tehran Will Never Seek to Build Nuclear Bomb
Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian addresses the 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) at the U.N. headquarters in New York, U.S., September 24, 2025. Photo: REUTERS/Jeenah Moon
Iran has no intention to build nuclear weapons, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian told the U.N. General Assembly on Wednesday, just days before international sanctions could be reimposed on his country over Tehran’s nuclear ambitions.
“I hereby declare once more before this assembly that Iran has never sought and will never seek to build a nuclear bomb. We do not seek nuclear weapons,” Pezeshkian said.
On August 28, Britain, France and Germany launched a 30-day process to reimpose U.N. sanctions that ends on September 27, accusing Tehran of failing to abide by a 2015 deal with world powers aimed at preventing it from developing a nuclear weapon.
The European powers have offered to delay reinstating sanctions for up to six months to allow space for talks on a long-term deal if Iran restores access for U.N. nuclear inspectors, addresses concerns about its stock of enriched uranium, and engages in talks with the United States.
SAYS E3 ‘SET ASIDE GOOD FAITH’
Pezeshkian criticized the move by European powers as “illegal,” saying it was made at “the behest of the United States of America.”
The United States, its European allies and Israel accuse Tehran of using its nuclear program as a veil for efforts to try to develop the capability to produce weapons. Iran says its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes only.
“In doing so, they (the E3) set aside good faith. They circumvented legal obligations. They sought to portray Iran’s lawful remedial measures … as a gross violation,” Pezeshkian said.
But amid the looming threat of sanctions and last-ditch talks on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly, gaps remain between Tehran and European powers over a deal to avert the snapback of sanctions.
Still, both sides have left the door open to further negotiations. While the E3 says Iran’s clerical rulers have so far failed to meet the conditions it set, Tehran says it will not offer concessions.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who has the last say on key state matters such as foreign policy and Iran’s nuclear program, has ruled out negotiations with the United States under threat.
DEADLINE ON SATURDAY
If Tehran and the E3 fail to reach a deal on an extension by the end of September 27, then all U.N. sanctions will be reimposed on Iran, where the economy already struggles with crippling sanctions reimposed since 2018 after President Donald Trump ditched the pact during his first term.
The so-called “snapback” process would reimpose an arms embargo, a ban on uranium enrichment and reprocessing, a ban on activities with ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons, a global asset freeze and travel bans on Iranian individuals and entities.
Soon after the US and Israeli attacks on Iranian nuclear sites in June, Iran’s parliament passed a law suspending cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency.
However, the IAEA and Tehran reached a deal on September 9 to resume inspections at nuclear sites and U.N. nuclear watchdog chief Rafael Grossi said on Tuesday a team of inspectors was on its way to Iran should Tehran and the E3 strike a deal this week to avert revival of sanctions.
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Trump Promises Arab Leaders He Won’t Let Israel Annex West Bank, Politico Reports
US President Donald Trump points a finger as he delivers remarks in the Roosevelt Room at the White House in Washington, DC, US, July 31, 2025. Photo: Kent Nishimura via Reuters Connect
US President Donald Trump promised Arab leaders he would not let Israel annex the West Bank, Politico reported on Wednesday, citing six people familiar with the matter.
Two people described Trump as being firm on the topic during their meeting on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, Politico reported.
Two others familiar with the matter, Politico reported, said the US team presented a white paper outlining the Trump administration’s plan to end the Gaza war, including the promise against West Bank annexation.
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US Envoy Confirms Israel, Syria Are Close to ‘De-Escalation’ Pact
Tom Barrack speaks with members of the press at Trump Tower in New York City, US. January 10, 2017. Photo: REUTERS/Stephanie Keith.
i24 News – Syria and Israel are on the verge of signing a “de-escalation” agreement in which Israel will stop its targeted strikes against jihadists and military targets while Syria will agree to not move any machinery or heavy equipment near the Israeli border, US Special Envoy for Syria Tom Barrack said on Tuesday.
The statement comes hours after an i24NEWS report that there is a “high likelihood” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will meet Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa in Washington next week.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of U.N. General Assembly meetings in New York, Barrack said the agreement would serve as the first step towards the comprehensive security deal that the two countries have been negotiating. “I think everybody is approaching it in good faith,” the official added.
The agreement under discussion has not been formally detailed, but officials familiar with the talks told i24NEWS it includes border security arrangements, counterterrorism coordination, and mechanisms aimed at preventing escalation along the Golan Heights frontier. If signed, it would mark the first formal accord between Israel and Syria in decades.
For Netanyahu, the meeting would represent both a diplomatic gamble and an opportunity. The Israeli Prime Minister has long insisted that any engagement with Syria must address threats from Iranian proxies and ensure Israel’s security along its northern border.
Al-Sharaa, for his part, is seeking international legitimacy and economic relief for his war-battered country, making US sponsorship of the deal critical.
While optimism is rising, both Israeli and Syrian officials caution that sensitive details remain unresolved, and the volatile regional environment could derail the effort at the last minute. Still, the senior Israeli official stressed to i24NEWS that “the chances of the meeting happening are very high.”
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Gaza Aid Flotilla Reports Drone Strikes off Greek Coast
A CCTV footage shows a fire that struck Alma, a vessel of the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF), in the Tunisian waters off the coast of Tunisia, September 9, 2025, in this screengrab obtained from a handout video. Photo: GLOBAL SUMUD FLOTILLA/Handout via REUTERS
i24 News – The United Nations has urged an “independent and impartial” investigation into alleged drone attacks on the Global Sumud humanitarian flotilla bound for Gaza.
Thameen Al-Kheetan, spokesperson for the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, said a dozen explosions were reported near the vessels on Tuesday evening.
The UN stressed that those responsible for the “violations” must be identified and held accountable.
Flotilla organizers said their ships came under attack while off the coast of Greece, citing explosions, drones, and communications jamming. “Unidentified objects dropped, communications jammed, and explosions heard from several boats,” the Global Sumud Flotilla said in a statement. “We are witnessing these psychological operations firsthand, right now, but we will not be intimidated.”
German activist Yasemin Acar and French MEP Rima Hassan claimed in a video posted on Instagram that five ships had been attacked. In another video, Brazilian activist Thiago Ávila reported that four boats were “targeted by drones dropping devices” just before another explosion was heard in the background.
Italy also condemned the alleged assault. Defense Minister Guido Crosetto announced that an Italian navy vessel had been dispatched to the area to provide assistance if required. “Italy strongly condemns this attack on a humanitarian flotilla,” Crosetto said.
The flotilla, composed of international activists, has been attempting to deliver aid to Gaza amid the ongoing conflict. The source of the alleged drone attacks has not been confirmed.