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Masoud Pezeshkian, the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, delivered a powerful address at the UN on Wednesday. He mentioned that he set aside his prepared statement after listening to Trump’s speech the previous day. He proceeded to showcase images of victims from the initial US bombing attacks, prompting the US delegation to exit the hall.
Here are some selected quotes from the UN’s English-language translation:
In the name of God, the most compassionate, the most merciful. Mr. President, Mr. Secretary-General, Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, I had prepared a speech to present to you yesterday. The United States president described us as terrorists. Meanwhile, we have been the victims of terrorism.
I come from an Iran where our esteemed Supreme Leader was assassinated without any legal justification. I hail from an Iran where innocent children have perished from bombings. You can see these children; they died due to bombs dropped by the United States and Israel, having committed no sins.
In Lamerd, a small city in Iran, an American missile struck a sports hall filled with children. They targeted that innocent place using weapons equipped with multiple warheads, killing our scientists and civilians—men, women, and children—who had done no wrong.
Those who train and protect terrorists label us as such. We have solely defended ourselves without engaging in acts of terrorism. Our innocents have borne the brunt of cowardly attacks against our nation, and we have responded with fortitude. While America and Israel employed cutting-edge weaponry against us, we did not yield. We did not bow our heads; we defended ourselves without harming civilian targets. They encroached upon our territory, assaulting our universities, healthcare facilities, schools, and infrastructure, all in violation of international law.
…In Gaza, over 80,000 innocent civilians have been brutalized. Hundreds of thousands have been displaced. They execute genocide with advanced weaponry, all while branding others as terrorists.
Are we truly the instigators of instability? We merely seek to live in independence. Is it we who generate turmoil? The ones committing atrocities, who ignore international protocols, can hardly be termed protectors of peace.
…For the past two centuries, Iran has not launched an attack on any nation. Yet we have always asserted our defensive capabilities. Now, we are accused of being a source of regional instability. Accused of terrorism, we recognize that defending our chosen path necessitates strength. We seek power to assure our security, not to threaten others.
…Our pursuit of energy is aimed at progress. For years, labels such as ‘centrifuges’ and ‘international sanctions’ have been tied to our nuclear ambitions. However, for us, peaceful nuclear technology is essential for our nation’s growth: it offers cures for our sick, ensures food security, and advances industrialization. Iran will not allow its rights to peaceful nuclear technology to be monopolized. We clearly state: no nuclear weapons, no constraints on our peaceful nuclear pursuits.
True peace cannot arise from conflict. The international community must provide Iran with the security it deserves. We desire cooperation for stability. We reside in a region where wars transcend borders, making crises in one nation ripple across others. Hence, Iran does not perceive its neighbors as threats, but rather desires prosperous partnerships with them.
In the waters of the Strait of Hormuz, we cannot permit some entities unrestricted access while simultaneously using that same route to impose insecurity upon us. They deny us access to our waterways yet continue supplying arms and technology that exacerbate insecurity in the region. We refuse to accept such impositions. Warfare cannot lead to security; fostering chaos cannot yield safety for coastal nations.
Excellencies, regarding Palestine: it remains an open wound for the global community, and Gaza epitomizes the failure of global mechanisms to mitigate civilian anguish. For decades, resolutions have been proposed, yet occupation and violence persist. We cannot claim to seek peace while neglecting Palestine. Lasting peace in this region is unattainable without justice for Palestinians.
As long as violence and oppression endure, resistance will prevail.
…And now, to those who orchestrate aggressions against our homeland, know that our people intimately understand the repercussions of violent acts. They have witnessed Iran’s resilience; we cannot be subdued. Iran has never initiated war, nor has it been an aggressor, but we have consistently believed in dialogue. They imposed war upon us, yet we emerged victorious in our defensive efforts, and we will continue to defend our beloved homeland.
…I reiterate: nuclear weapons are held by Israel, while inspectors are sent to Iran. Israel perpetrates violence, yet we face sanctions. This indicates a profound tragedy—those who harm others escape retribution, while we suffer. The poor and disadvantaged within our society are the primary victims of these sanctions. This is what the United States aims to impose upon nations: to compromise civilian populations to achieve their unjust goals.
…In light of the remarks from the U.S. President yesterday: those familiar with international law, dialogue, and essential human values recognize that the statements regarding Iran contravene the core principles and spirit of the United Nations. Mr. Trump must understand that the Iranian people’s resistance will only grow in the face of sanctions and oppression. We will not bow our heads or submit. Mr. Trump and others who intend to coerce us should realize we remain open to dialogue and negotiations, without succumbing to force.
Media coverage has flooded the airwaves, but scant offers additional insights into Pezeshkian’s comments.
Now let’s transition to a different topic—China.
Trump Rolls Out the Red Carpet for Xi
Chinese officials observe as final touches are made to the red carpet for President Xi. pic.twitter.com/aG8Jwtg6Nx
— Acyn (@Acyn) September 23, 2026
In a bid to impress Xi, Trump organized a military jet flyover, which seemed to have more effect on Trump than on Xi:
Trump winces in pain during the loud military flyover while Xi remains unfazed pic.twitter.com/iUMvnhYZn9
— MeidasTouch (@MeidasTouch) September 23, 2026
More important than the formality was China’s announcement regarding its stance on the latest US sanctions against Iran, as detailed by Bloomberg:
China condemned the new US legislation that tightens sanctions on Russia and extends trade penalties on Iran, which President Trump signed into law late last Friday.
Beijing has consistently opposed unilateral sanctions and “secondary sanctions,” as stated by a Commerce Ministry spokesperson.Specifically, China opposes sanctions that lack authorization from the United Nations or any basis in international law. The spokesperson added that China would closely observe Washington’s actions and reserved the right to take all necessary measures to protect its sovereignty and the legitimate interests of its businesses, while advocating for stable trade relations through dialogue.
Al Jazeera featured an op-ed by Yang Xiaotong of the Horizon Insights Centre:
Beijing is once more supporting Iran—not out of moral or ideological considerations but rather because it is strategically beneficial.
Having purchased 90% of Iranian oil exports, China has single-handedly bolstered the Iranian economy while circumventing US sanctions through a complex network involving “dark fleets” (vessels obscuring the Iranian origins of their cargo) and “teapot” refineries (smaller-scale private refineries).
In response to Washington’s ultimatum of “with us or against us” regarding sanctions, a spokesperson from the Chinese foreign ministry stated that “China will do everything necessary to protect its rights and interests.” After engaging in multiple trade wars with the US, China has developed resilience towards American-inflicted economic hardship and an aversion to being bullied.
For China, external interference in trade with third-party nations is intolerable. More crucially, it regards Washington’s threats as ineffective—and rightly so.
Chinese enterprises dealing with Iran often operate independently, transacting in renminbi or through barter, rendering them largely immune to US laws.
Moreover, companies that do engage in US dollar transactions are hidden behind layers of shell companies, enabling quick adjustments at minimal cost. This compels Washington into a perpetual cycle of regulatory challenges, where eliminated entities are promptly replaced.
Schrodinger’s Negotiations Between Witkoff and Araghchi
I find the ongoing speculation about whether the US and Iran are negotiating somewhat futile, so apologies in advance if my coverage lacks depth.
Nevertheless, I’ll summarize: the Qataris claim to have a proposal for a common Iran-Gulf security framework. I will categorize that as “So what?”
Trump assures further negotiations, building on indirect discussions that Witkoff asserted occurred on Tuesday, and the EU’s Kaja Kallas claimed to have informed Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi about “no tolls or fees” relating to the Hormuz Strait.
Reuters has reported that Iran is open to re-opening the Straits if the US reduces military pressure.
Meanwhile, the situation in the Straits has been tumultuous—however, let’s first address the increasing US military casualties.
Hard Times on the USS Abe Lincoln
CNN has highlighted grim news:
During a period marked by combat operations against Iran, eight personnel from the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group attempted suicide, as revealed in a letter from the acting Secretary of the Navy.
Acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao noted that this figure, which covers crew members from several accompanying vessels, had not been disclosed previously. However, he confirmed that no service members died by suicide during the deployment.
The rate of suicide attempts amongst the Lincoln strike group was comparable to the overall active-duty Navy rate recorded in 2024, the most recent year for which the Pentagon released such data.
Some Ships Get Through, Some Don’t
An Indian sailor tragically lost his life when the merchant vessel Cape Dao was attacked, located 2.5 miles off Musandam.
Footage depicts the UAE-owned CAPE DAO bulk carrier post-attack by the IRGC Navy using an anti-ship missile in the Strait of Hormuz this morning. The incident resulted in the death of one Indian national. https://t.co/TVPjZjIibg pic.twitter.com/uovA0133E3
— OSINTWarfare (@OSINTWarfare) September 23, 2026
However, according to Tanker Trackers, some oil is still making its way through:
Hormuz isn’t closed; it’s been re-engineered. @TankerTrackers’ Samir Madani estimates nearly 10.3 million barrels per day of crude is once again passing through the Strait—utilizing over 100 AIS-dark shuttle tankers and STS transfers in the Gulf of Oman.
Iranian crude exports are essentially stagnant.
Tanker Tracker’s Samir Madani forecasts approximately 10.3 million barrels per day of crude is currently navigating the Strait, employing over 100 AIS-dark shuttle tankers and STS transfers in the Gulf of Oman.
In contrast, Iranian crude exports appear to be virtually nonexistent, though reduced LPG and minor product flows persist.
The adaptation is functioning, but at a significant cost:
Tanker rates have surged from around $50,000 per day pre-war to over $1 million per day as attacks and retaliation continue.
Meanwhile, shifting focus to Iraq…
US Troops Out of Iraq
The US military’s withdrawal is in progress, with hundreds of troops expected to exit northern Iraq by the September 30 deadline.
The Iraqi government has tied the US withdrawal to a demand for militias to disarm. However, many groups have indicated their unwillingness to comply.
Conditions, however, seem more chaotic further south, particularly in Yemen.
Ansar Allah Throws Down
Supporters of the Saudi-backed Yemeni government claimed a victory according to Al Jazeera:
The Yemeni government forces claim to have seized complete control of strategic Mount Qarfan in the western Taiz governorate after clashes with fighters aligned with Iran’s Houthis.
Government forces, aided by local allies, secured Mount Qarfan on Tuesday, as both sides vie for dominance over highlands with views of the Red Sea coastline.
Conversely, Ansar Allah also asserts it is on the offensive:
Ansar Allah has sent reinforcements and initiated a major offensive on the Hayfan front, southeast of Taiz, launching ground advances from the Al-Akbush hills towards the Dimnat Khadir District.
The offensive is unfolding across three axes, including… https://t.co/Bqk8iLK9Xi pic.twitter.com/DA0nVQa6Hb
— OSINTWarfare (@OSINTWarfare) September 24, 2026
A Little YouTube in the Morning
The video above features a discussion with Yemeni journalist and political commentator Hussain Al-Bukhaiti about the escalating crisis in Yemen, Saudi Arabia’s involvement, Pakistan, Imran Khan, and the implications of the Mecca Defence Pact.
It has been a while since I last heard from Prof. “Escalation Trap” Pape.
Major General G.D. Baksh usually provides interesting insights.
Alistair Crooke is in fine form alongside Daniel Davis.
That concludes today’s updates. Stay safe, everyone!
