During a meeting with senior managers of American media outlets in New York, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian criticized the U.S. for its hawkish approach towards Iran, stating that the West Asian country will not bow down to pressure from American politicians. 

Pezeshkian stressed that Washington is the party constantly escalating tensions with Iran, but it somehow always ends up blaming Tehran for the festering of the two countries’ bad ties. “It was the U.S. that exited a deal with us and then proceeded to sanction us. What are we supposed to do? Be friendly to Washington while it tries to bully us?”

The Iranian president also slammed the U.S. for its destabilizing acts in other parts of West Asia, particularly its support for Israel’s brutal war in Gaza. 

He also denied claims that Iran is supporting American students protesting against ties with Israel in U.S. universities, urging Washington to heed the demands of its people instead of looking for culprits to blame.