Iranian president addresses UN General Assembly. (Photo: teleSUR)

United Nations, September 22 (RHC)-- Iranian President Hassan Rouhani used his speech at the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday to denounce Washington's pressure campaign and send a message of resistance and resilience to the United States -- signalling that no matter the pressure, the country will refuse to budge.

In his pre-recorded video message, Rouhani started by pointing out that COVID-19 has put the global community in the same boat.  "But instead of being able to benefit from international cooperation, my nation is faced with the harshest sanctions in history, in obvious and fundamental violation of the UN Charter, international agreements, and United Nations Security Council Resolution 2231," the president said.

He evoked the image of George Floyd, whose killing at the hands of Minneapolis police officers sparked enormous protests in late May.  Rouhani said such images are familiar for Iranians who have felt the pressure of other nations for decades, but have continued to strive for peace and progress.

After listing a wide variety of Iranian initiatives aimed at achieving regional piece and efforts he said were in line with standing up to "occupation, genocide, displacement and racism" in the 40 years since the formation of Iran, Rouhani directly addressed the 75th UNGA President Volkan Bozkir.

"Such a nation does not deserve sanctions. The answer to peace is not war. The reward of fighting extremism is not terror."

One day after the 40th anniversary of the Iran-Iraq War that started after U.S.-backed leader Saddam Hussein invaded Iran and killed an estimated 500,000 people on both sides, Rouhani also recalled the conflict.

"We must know that claims don't matter and only actions matter," the president said, pointing out the United States supported an Iraq armed with chemical weapons while boasting of peace.