Iran ready to engage in fresh nuclear talks - Pezeshkian at UN

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met his British counterpart David Lammy on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.

He earlier met EU Foreign Policy Chief Josep Borrell and his deputy Enrique Mora, shortly after Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian said Tehran is prepared to revive nuclear talks.

Earlier in the day, Iran's deputy foreign minister Majid Takht Ravanchi met the political directors of British, German and French foreign ministries to discuss possible revival of nuclear talks.

Pezeshkian's scheduled news conference has been cancelled, according to Iran’s UN mission.

The announcement came just as Iran's president was delivering his debut speech to the UN General Assembly.

Pezeshkian's first media appearance in New York created backlash among Iran's conservatives. He spoke of the possibility of easing tensions with Israel in a meeting with US media representatives Tuesday.

The topic of relations with Israel is the ultimate taboo in the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Iran's foreign minister Abbas Araghchi warned Israel about Hezbollah's ability to respond to attacks, just as Pezeshkian was about to address the UN General Assembly.

"Do not ever underestimate Hezbollah's ability to defend Lebanon against any aggression," Araghchi posted on X (formerly Twitter). "(Hezbollah) is more than capable of flattening the bases and colonies of the Israeli regime."

Pezeshkian said Iran is open to a revival of the 2015 nuclear deal - one of his campaign promises.

"We are ready to engage with JCPOA participants if JCPOA commitments are implemented fully and in good faith," Pezeshkian said.

Addressing the "American people," he added that "Iran and the US can enter a new era if Iran's security concerns are recognized."

On the Russia-Ukraine war, Pezeshkian said, "Iran opposes war and emphasizes the urgent need to end military hostilities in Ukraine. We support all peaceful solutions and believe that dialogue is the only way to resolve this crisis."

He doesn't make any reference to Iran's support of Russia's war effort in Ukraine by sending delivering drones and ballistic missiles.

Pezeshkian lambasts former US president Donald Trump for unilaterally withdrawing from the 2015 nuclear deal.

"Trump's unilateral withdrawal from the agreement manifested a threat to written approach in politics and a coercion-driven strategy in the economic domain," he said, "The policy of the U.S. so-called maximum pressure was in fact implemented against the Iranian people when Iran was fulfilling all its obligations under the JCPOA, as was verified repeatedly by the IAEA."

Iran has never attacked or occupied another country. It has only defended itself, Pezeshkian says.

He calls on "neighbouring brothers" to not waste their resources on an arm race.

Pezeshkian attacks Israel, accusing the country of "genocide".

"No amount of barbaric violence can restore Israel's myth of invincibility," he says, claiming that "Israel has been defeated in Gaza." during his address to the United Nations.

“In a meeting with political directors of UK, Germany & France today in New York, all sides emphasized need for dialogue & cooperation in order to address issues of mutual concern & interest, incl. negotiations on sanctions lifting & nuclear issues & the worrisome situation in region,” Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht-Ravanchi tweeted.