Iranian president criticizes UN response to Israeli actions in Gaza, Lebanon

Read:Water is 'lifeblood of our region', must never be weaponised: PM Shehbaz at SCO summit“The performance of the United Nations and the UN Security Council in dealing with these developments, including in Gaza, Lebanon and the recent aggression against Iran, has been very disappointing,” he said.

Pezeshkian accused the US and Israel of violating the UN Charter and international law during the recent conflict with Iran, citing attacks on civilians, educational and medical facilities, critical infrastructure and nuclear facilities under International Atomic Energy Agency safeguards.

He said Iran did not start the war but defended itself, while stressing that Tehran still considers diplomacy and negotiations the main path for resolving disputes. “Diplomacy without good faith, without respect for commitments and without refraining from the use of force cannot create lasting peace,” he said.

Pezeshkian also accused Washington of repeatedly violating commitments under the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding between Iran and the US, saying pressure and threats could derail diplomacy even after parties reach a political framework for ending hostilities and beginning negotiations.

The memorandum was reached in June following nearly three months of negotiations mediated by Pakistan and Qatar after 40 days of fighting between Iran and the US and Israel. The agreement provided a framework for ending hostilities and resuming negotiations, alongside provisions concerning the Strait of Hormuz.

Turning to the international system, Pezeshkian said the emergence of a multipolar world should not mean replacing one dominant power with another. He called for a more representative and effective UN and Security Council, arguing that a fair multipolar order should be based on effective multilateralism, sovereign equality and respect for international law.

Read more:Pezeshkian said SCO Plus countries, given their political, economic, demographic and geographical weight, could play an important role in shaping such an international order. If US returns to MoU commitments, Iran will immediately reciprocate: Pezeshkian.

Iran will immediately reciprocateif the US returns to its commitments under an interim deal signed in June, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Tuesday, the Iranian. Student News Agencyreported.

He made his comments at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Summit in Bishkek after the first exchange of direct attacks in the US-Iran conflict since late July, with the US striking Larak Island and Iran then launching attacks on two US air bases in Jordan.

“I am stating clearly that if the US returns to its commitments under the Memorandum of Understanding, the Islamic Republic of Iran will immediately reciprocate," Pezeshkian was quoted as saying by state media.

He was referring to an interim deal signed in June between Tehran and Washington in efforts to end the war, which started with US and Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28. The deal quickly unravelled amid disagreements over its implementation.

Tehran has repeatedly said it will allow free navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway for global oil supplies, only if Washington implements the terms of the agreement.