Iranian president says regime open to negotiation after US envoy walks out of UN speech

During his address to the U.N. General Assembly, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian claimed Iran is a victim of terrorism, citing Israel's killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran as evidence of targeting civilians. He stated, "They assassinated Ismail Haniyeh in Iran on the day of my inauguration." The lone U.S. delegate present walked out shortly after Pezeshkian began speaking. Pezeshkian asserted that Iran would not succumb to U.S. pressure, stating, "We will never bow our head or bend at the knee," but expressed readiness for negotiation without accepting the "language of force." U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, speaking concurrently, highlighted the unprecedented scope of attacks on civilians by Iran and its proxies, and warned that Iran would face "big problems" if it continued pursuing nuclear weapons, noting that the U.S. has economic and military options.