Iran Calls Itself the Victim, Its Record Tells Another Story

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian’s speech at the United Nations did not mention Iran’s history of terrorism and the thousands of innocent victims killed, or the imprisonment and killing of thousands of its own people who were peacefully protesting, or the repeated enrichment of uranium at levels close to 90% purity for nuclear weapons or repeatedly denying access to International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspectors to suspect nuclear sites in Iran. There was no attempt by Mr. Pezeshkian to deny these allegations or justify Iran’s sick behavior, or to concede that Iran’s leadership will address these accusations and change its behavior. Rather, it was a recitation of how the U.S. leadership had a “bullying mentality”.

Mr. Pezeshkian could have talked about reopening the Strait of Hormuz and ending the bombing of the infrastructure, airports, and civilian areas in neighboring countries. He could have attempted to justify why Iran was militarily striking out at these neighboring countries, when Iran’s adversaries were the U.S. and Israel.

What’s vivid in the minds of most people is Iran’s brutal reaction to peaceful protests in Iran. The slogan “Women, Life, Freedom” in 2022, when the so-called morality police arrested and killed a young Iranian student, Mahsa Amini, for incorrectly wearing her hijab (headscarf). Peaceful protests by brave Iranians followed, with the Basij – a paramilitary force under the command of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) – arresting thousands and killing hundreds of peaceful protesters.

Iran can change its behavior and seek to be removed from the State Department list of State Sponsor of Terrorism. That means stop supporting their proxies, the Houthis (Yemen), Hezbollah (Lebanon), Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (Gaza), and the Shi’ite Militias in Iraq and Syria, all funded, armed, and trained by the Iran’s IRGC.

But Mr. Pezeshkian did not talk about or attempt to justify Iran’s behavior. He said Iran was the victim.

Russia and China apparently agreed.

In addition to attempting to justify its war in Ukraine, Russia’s Foreign Minister, Sergey Lavros, said Russia was aligned with the Iranian regime, criticizing the U.S. and Israel for its military operations in Iran. Indeed, Russia continues to supply Iran with real-time satellite imagery and tracking data regarding U.S. troops, aircraft, and warships in the Middle East for targeting purposes. Russia reportedly is also providing military hardware to Iran: explosives, ammunitions, drone components, and shoulder-fired man-portable air defense systems.

China’s Vice President, Han Zheng, in addition to touting the impact of China’s Belt and Road initiative, criticized the unilateral military actions of U.S. operations in Iran, while not mentioning anything about Taiwan. And according to the Wall Street Journal, Chinese entities have provided Iran with satellite intelligence, and thousands of dual-use components during the ongoing war with the U.S. and Israel. The satellite imagery reportedly helped Iran improve missile and drone targeting of U.S. bases in the region, to include the U.S. base in Jordan that killed three American service members. Additionally, satellite imagery permits the Iranian military to better track commercial ships and U.S. military escorts in the Strait of Hormuz.

Also of real concern are the reports of dual use shipments to Iran. Reportedly, there were over 1,000 air shipments from China to Iran’s Defense Ministry in the first half of 2026. These included GPS devices, electric motors, aircraft-engine parts and chemical precursors used for ballistic missile propellants.

There are reported plans for China to ship up to 400 Chinese-made shoulder-fired air-defense missile launchers (MANPADS) to help Iran rebuild its defenses. There are also concerns that Chinese front companies and banks helped Iran bypass oil export bans and move billions of dollars through barter and credit arrangements.

Whether China ordered or allowed these reported actions is unclear.

The U.S., supported by Germany, France, and the United Kingdom state that military trade, drone transfers, and ballistic missile exchanges between Russia, China, and Iran are in violation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 2231. Moreover, the U.S. and its allies criticized Russia and China for vetoing a September 2026 U.S – drafted resolution to extend the mandate of on the UNSC’s Panel of Experts on Iran. The veto obstructed lawful oversight of Iran.

It appears that Russia and China are supporting Iran in its war with the U.S. and Israel.

Mr. Pezeshkian portrayed Iran as the victim. It’s the people of Iran and the innocent people killed by Iran-backed terrorists who are the victims.

The author is the former associate director of national intelligence. All statements of fact, opinion or analysis expressed are those of the author and do not reflects the official positions or views of the U.S. government.

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