UNGA 2025: Iran's Strategic Stage for Diplomatic Maneuvering

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has embarked on a significant journey to New York to attend the United Nations General Assembly, a pivotal event that gathers leaders from around the globe. This year’s assembly marks the 80th session, themed “Better Together: 80 Years and Beyond for Peace, Development and Human Rights.” Pezeshkian is expected to deliver a highly anticipated speech on Wednesday morning, local time, showcasing Iran’s diplomatic stance on the international platform.

During his visit, Pezeshkian will engage in crucial meetings and consultations with various heads of state and UN Secretary-General António Guterres. Additionally, he will participate in sessions with think tanks, forums, and Iranian expatriates living in the United States. His presence at the UN is viewed as a strategic diplomatic maneuver aimed at influencing international relations and asserting Iran’s rationality and authority on the global stage.

This trip is part of a longstanding tradition of Iranian presidents attending the UN summits, a practice that dates back to the late President Mohammad-Ali Rajai. The General Assembly, held annually in the third week of September, is recognized as the world’s largest and most significant political event. It offers an opportunity for nations to project their identities and emphasize their commitments to peace and rational discourse regarding pressing global issues.

The UN General Assembly is one of the UN’s six principal organs, and this year’s 80th session runs from September 22 to 28 at the UN headquarters in New York. With leaders and delegations from all 193 UN member states in attendance, considerable attention will be directed toward Pezeshkian and his address to the assembly.

Pezeshkian’s trip to the UN marks his second visit to the General Assembly and the 24th visit by an Iranian president since the Islamic Revolution. The first Iranian president to speak at the General Assembly was Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei in 1987, whose impactful speech condemned US actions against Iran, prompting the American representative to leave in protest.

In his address, Ayatollah Khamenei stated, “I come from Iran, the birthplace of one of the most renowned yet least known revolutions of contemporary times. A revolution founded upon the religion of God, following the path of prophets and great divine reformers, a path as long as the entire history of humanity. The firm root and underlying idea of this revolution is the monotheistic worldview of Islam.”

In 1980, Prime Minister Mohammad-Ali Rajai also addressed the UN amid the Iraqi invasion of Iran, though that was not during the General Assembly summit. Subsequent Iranian presidents have participated in the assembly, including Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani in 1991, Mohammad Khatami in 1998, 2000, and 2001, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad annually during his presidency, Hassan Rouhani on seven occasions, and Ebrahim Raeisi in 2022 and 2023.

Pezeshkian’s visit comes at a time of heightened tensions following critical developments in the region, notably Israeli aggression. Recent Israeli airstrikes on Iran led to a 12-day conflict, further escalating regional tensions. The United States and Israel, both nuclear powers, have also conducted attacks on Iran’s peaceful nuclear facilities.

Despite these challenges, Iran has reaffirmed its commitment to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and has recently signed an agreement with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in Egypt. However, the European troika has continued to pursue the “snapback” mechanism, despite failing to uphold their obligations under the 2015 nuclear deal (JCPOA).

This visit is seen as a critical political and diplomatic event for Iran, attracting significant media attention and global scrutiny. Tehran acknowledges the complexity of its challenges with the West, particularly after indirect negotiations with Washington collapsed amid military actions from Israel and the US. Iranian officials contend that the West seeks regional dominance, which contradicts the principles of the Islamic Revolution.

In response, Iran aims to leverage every diplomatic opportunity to enhance its political standing and advocate for the lifting of sanctions. While expressing skepticism about perceived “hypocritical gestures” from Western officials regarding peace, Iranian policymakers stress the importance of fostering ties with members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), BRICS, and the Global South. They also highlight the potential for collaboration with Islamic and Arab nations, including Pakistan, Egypt, Turkey, and Iraq, particularly in support of Palestinians in Gaza and solidarity with Qatar.

Iran possesses numerous advantages in its negotiations with Western powers, such as:

The resilience and indigenous nature of its nuclear industry
Social cohesion demonstrated during confrontations with Israel
Advanced defensive capabilities
Strategic relations with Eastern powers
The expertise of Iranian elites
The resilience of its economy under sanctions
The cultural and civilizational depth of Iran’s heritage

These factors are crucial in navigating the current geopolitical landscape and advancing Iran’s diplomatic agenda.

The United Nations General Assembly has long served as a prominent platform for dialogue and diplomacy among nations. For Iran, this international stage is not only a venue to present its official stance but also an opportunity to demonstrate its soft power and diplomatic capabilities. Through active participation in negotiations and multilateral consultations, Iranian representatives aim to shape global public opinion and convey the true nature of Iran’s foreign policy.

Furthermore, Iran’s presence in New York allows for engagement with various countries and organizations outside the formal meetings, fostering new channels of cooperation and highlighting its role on the regional and global stage. In this context, the UN serves as a significant platform for Iran to project its diplomatic strength and strategic insights, promoting messages of peace, justice, and authority in international relations.