Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian signalled on September 24 that Tehran is prepared to resolve its long-standing nuclear dispute with Western powers in a bid to have sanctions removed.

In a speech to the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), Pezeshkian expressed Iran’s desire for an easing of US sanctions that have severely hit the country’s economy, reiterating Tehran’s readiness to re-engage in talks on its nuclear programme.

“The Islamic Republic is ready to reach an understanding with the West to end this impasse,” Pezeshkian said. “We seek peace, not conflict, and believe that diplomacy remains the best path forward.”

The US withdrew from the 2015 nuclear accord under former President Donald Trump in 2018, re-imposing stringent sanctions on Iran. Multiple attempts to revive the agreement have since failed, with tensions between Tehran and the West escalating further.

During his speech, Pezeshkian referenced Iran’s vaunted Shi’ite saint Imam Ali to “extend compassion”, referring to “brothers in religion or equals in all creation.”

Pezeshkian’s comments come at a time of strained relations between Iran and Western nations, particularly in the wake of the Hamas militant group’s attack on southern Israel on October 7 and a weakened nuclear deal.

Pezeshkian, regarded as a relatively moderate leader since taking office in August, also criticised Israel during his UN address, calling its actions in Gaza “genocide” and urging an international ceasefire to halt escalating violence.

“It is imperative that the international community acts now to stop Israel’s relentless aggression in Gaza and Lebanon,” Pezeshkian said.

His comments follow an Israeli airstrike that reportedly killed a senior Hezbollah commander in Lebanon on September 24, heightening fears of a broader conflict where more than 550 Lebanese are believed to have been killed.

On sanctions and Iran’s pariah international status, Pezeshkian said: “It is not Iran that has sanctioned your country and prevented you from trading with the world. It is not Iran that is blocking your access to medicine. It is not Iran that has cut off your access to the global banking and financial systems.”

“Iran is ready to engage in effective economic, social, political and security relations with world powers and its neighbours, on equal footing, to build a better world,” he said.

He urged Western governments to remove sanctions on the country as it continues to face years of weakened economic conditions.

On the Ukraine war, Pezeshkian echoed Iran’s opposition to military conflict, urging a peaceful resolution through dialogue. “Iran opposes war and stresses the need for an immediate cessation of hostilities in Ukraine,” he said, adding that Tehran has no intention of escalating the situation with any country.

“We want lasting peace and security for the people of Ukraine and Russia. The Islamic Republic of Iran opposes war and emphasises the need for an immediate cessation of military conflict in Ukraine and supports any peaceful solution. We believe that only through dialogue can this crisis be resolved,” he said.