Protesters gathered outside the United Nations while Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian addressed the General Assembly, calling for Iran’s Islamic government to be removed and for a free, secular republic. Speakers accused the regime of terrorism, repression and killing its opponents, while urging the United States and other countries to apply greater pressure.

The two-day rally, organised by the National Council of Resistance of Iran, drew claims that as many as 20,000 protesters were killed during unrest earlier in the year, although the article does not independently verify the figure. Speakers including former US officials backed sanctions, asset seizures, internet access and other support for Iranian opposition movements, arguing that meaningful change must come from within Iran.