Iran Warns ‘Geography of War’ Could Expand as Pezeshkian Heads to UN

Tehran, Sep 22 : Iran has warned that any fresh US military action could widen the nearly seven-month conflict, as President Masoud Pezeshkian travels to New York for the United Nations General Assembly amid renewed diplomatic uncertainty.

Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) spokesman Hossein Mohebbi said Iran would respond to any new US attack by changing both its weapons and the “geography of the war,” Iran’s semi-official Fars news agency reported. He added that the IRGC was prepared for a prolonged conflict.

The warning came after US President Donald Trump said he was considering several options regarding Iran, including renewed military action, economic pressure and negotiations. Trump also indicated he would likely be willing to meet Pezeshkian on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, although no meeting has been officially announced.

Pezeshkian left Tehran on Tuesday to attend the 81st session of the UN General Assembly and is scheduled to address the gathering on Wednesday. The United States has approved UN travel for members of the Iranian delegation but has imposed movement restrictions. Iranian officials said members of Pezeshkian’s communications team were denied US visas.

Before departing, Pezeshkian said he would firmly defend Iran’s positions at international forums and use the UN platform to present Tehran’s grievances and its account of the conflict.

He also referred to civilian casualties in Iran, including children in Minab and Lamerd, and said Tehran would raise what it considers abuses committed during the conflict.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, meanwhile, said Tehran has “no trust” in the United Nations in its current form. He said Pezeshkian would use his UN address to defend the rights and interests of the Iranian people.

Araghchi criticized what he described as insufficient condemnation by Western and European governments of violence in Gaza, the West Bank, Lebanon and Iran. He acknowledged the UN as the world’s largest international platform but questioned its record in achieving its stated goals of peace, security and justice.

According to Araghchi, the UN nevertheless remains an important forum for Iran to present its positions and engage with other governments. Pezeshkian is expected to hold bilateral meetings with foreign leaders, meet Iranian and foreign intellectuals and media figures, and give interviews to several media outlets.

Araghchi said he would separately meet foreign ministers during the UN week to discuss bilateral relations and present Iran’s positions.

The conflict has also continued to disrupt shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a key global energy corridor. Iranian officials have said Tehran has conveyed conditions to the United States through mediators for reopening the waterway. The reported conditions include an end to the war, the release of frozen Iranian funds and an end to the US naval blockade.

Iran is also scheduled to participate in several UN-related side events, including an environment summit and meetings involving the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation and the Non-Aligned Movement.

Araghchi said the presence of world leaders and senior officials in New York would provide Iran with an opportunity to hold direct discussions with representatives of other countries and review bilateral relations during an intensive four-to-five-day programme.