# Iran tells Trump it will never bend the knee

> After seven months of war, Iran's president rejects Trump's ultimatum but signals openness to talks on his terms.
- Title: Iran tells Trump it will never bend the knee · BBC News
- Summary: After seven months of war, Iran's president rejects Trump's ultimatum but signals openness to talks on his terms. Iran's president rejected Trump's threat to…
- Keywords: iran, united states, masoud pezeshkian, donald trump, iran-us war, strait of hormuz, diplomacy, nuclear programme, news, world, tells, Trump
- Source: BBC News — https://bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cqvgyjy23ggjo
- Published: 2026-09-23T15:58:13.115+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: iran, united states, masoud pezeshkian, donald trump, iran-us war, strait of hormuz, diplomacy, nuclear programme, news, world
## Trump threatens to annihilate Iran
At the UN on Tuesday, US President Donald Trump said he would either negotiate a deal or annihilate the Islamic Republic quickly.

> annihilate the Islamic Republic and do it quickly
## Iran's president rejects the threat
Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian told the UN that Iran will never bend the knee to bullying and pressure.

> We will never bow our head or bend the knee
## War has killed hundreds of civilians
Pezeshkian showed the UN photos of over one hundred seventy five civilians, two thirds of them children, killed in US and Israeli strikes in late February.
## Seven months of escalating conflict
The war began in February when the US and Israel killed Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Iran retaliated with missile and drone attacks and closed the Strait of Hormuz.
## The blockade broke a June ceasefire
The US and Iran agreed in June to end the war and reopen the strait, but it collapsed when Iranian attacks on shipping resumed and the US reinstated its blockade in April.
## Iran demands the blockade ends
Pezeshkian said any deal must include an end to the US blockade stopping Iranian ships from using the Strait of Hormuz.

> It cannot be the case that everyone benefits from the Strait of Hormuz while we are denied access
## Iran signals readiness for talks
Pezeshkian said Iran is ready for dialogue and diplomacy without accepting the language of force. He also insisted Iran will not give up its right to a civilian nuclear programme.

> We are ready for dialogue and diplomacy and negotiations without accepting the language of force
## First talks in months begin
On Tuesday, Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and US envoy Steve Witkoff held indirect talks brokered by Qatar, the first since June.
## Key takeaway

Iran's president rejected Trump's threat to annihilate the country but said Iran is ready for diplomacy if the US lifts its blockade and releases frozen assets.