Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has welcomed the recently signed defense agreement between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, describing it as the beginning of a broader regional security system with the cooperation of Muslim states in West Asia.

Addressing the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York on Wednesday, Pezeshkian said the pact was a “good start” for ensuring collective peace and stability in the region.

“Iran welcomes the defense agreement between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan. This is a good beginning for the security of the region with the cooperation of Muslim countries,” he told delegates.

He emphasized that true security cannot be achieved through force but rather through cooperation, dialogue, and solidarity among regional states.

Condemnation of Israeli attacks

In his speech, the Iranian president accused Israel of violating Iran’s sovereignty by carrying out attacks not only in Iran but also in Syria, Yemen, and Qatar. “We condemn Israel’s criminal attack on Qatar,” Pezeshkian said, adding that enemies had failed in their attempts to divide the Iranian people.

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He declared that despite sanctions, assassinations of scientists, and media warfare, the Iranian nation remained united behind its army. “Iran will not bow to invaders — instead, we will emerge stronger,” he said.

Nuclear program for peaceful purposes

Pezeshkian reiterated Iran’s long-standing position that its nuclear program is peaceful and not intended for weapons development. “I repeat before this assembly: Iran has never tried to make a nuclear bomb and will never do so,” he stated.

The president criticized the European “Troika” — Britain, France, and Germany — accusing them of dishonestly supporting US-backed sanctions while pretending to remain faithful to the 2015 nuclear deal.

This was Pezeshkian’s first speech at a global forum since the 12-day Iran-Israel conflict earlier this year, which claimed the lives of several top Iranian military and political leaders.