Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian addressed the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly on Wednesday, saying that Tehran is ready for negotiations while remaining fully prepared to firmly defend itself against aggression.

At the beginning of his address, Pezeshkian held up photographs of the late Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, and schoolchildren from Minab in southern Iran who, he said, were killed during US-Israeli aggression, The Caspian Post reports, citing Iranian media.

He also said that the US had bombed Iranian children in Lamerd with cluster bombs.

Pezeshkian accused the US and its supporters of accusing Iran of terrorism while themselves carrying out what he described as the worst terrorist acts.

He stressed that Iran “has not attacked or invaded any country for 200 years, but defends itself steadfastly.”

According to Pezeshkian, Iran must be powerful enough to ensure that any attack on its cities does not go unanswered.

He also said that Iran would not give up its right to the peaceful use of nuclear technology.

Pezeshkian said the US and its backers seek to close Iranian waterways while using them as supply routes for what he described as their own sinister objectives.

“Resistance cannot be defeated by bombs, acts of aggression,” he said.

He added that a war had been imposed on Iran, but that its opponents had learned that Iranians are not afraid of war.

“Nuclear weapon is in Israel, but IAEA inspectors are racing to come to Iran,” Pezeshkian said.

He stressed that the international community “must not build a world where military power is used for enforcing hegemony.”

Concluding his address, Pezeshkian said Tehran remains ready for negotiations but will not accept what he described as the language of bullying.