India, Sept. 23 -- Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said his country and its people have been "victims of terrorism" in speech at the UN General Assembly on Wednesday.

He accused the US of not respecting international law and said Iran must be powerful enough to deter threats.

"We have only defended ourselves. We are not terrorists," Pezeshkian said at the General Assembly. "Our innocent people have been the targets of cowardly attacks and aggressions imposed upon our country. And we defended ourselves with utmost strength. America and Israel attacked us."

"Iran must be powerful to avoid being threatened," Pezeshkian said, adding that Tehran does not seek to use its power for hegemony.

He said Iran's defence capabilities are built ...