Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian forcefully rejected President Trump's portrayal of Iran as a source of terrorism at the UN General Assembly on Wednesday, insisting instead that Iranians are "victims of terrorism."

Why it matters: Pezeshkian used one of the world's biggest diplomatic stages to directly challenge Trump on U.S. soil — as the U.S.-Israel war with Iran rages on.

What he's saying: "The United States president described us as terrorists," Pezeshkian said in a roughly 18-minute speech.

• "We have been the victims of terrorism… Those who are terrorists and train and protect terrorists describe us as such. We have only defended ourselves. We are not terrorists."
• "Our innocent people have been the targets of cowardly attacks and aggressions imposed upon our country, and we defended ourselves with utmost strength," he said.
• "We live in a world in which the powerful, instead of thinking about humanity, justice, fairness, and democracy, they seem to be the protectors and creators of instability and destruction."

Zoom in: Pezeshkian cited attacks that he blamed on the U.S., including strikes that killed children.

• He pointed to the deaths of more than 150 Iranians at an elementary school in Minab, including more than 120 children.
• A recent UN report found "reasonable grounds to believe" the U.S. committed a war crime in the strike.
• While the U.S. has not released findings of an investigation related to the attack, the AP has found evidence that at least one U.S. missile struck the school.
• Pezeshkian also mentioned the alleged deaths of children playing at a sports hall and an adjacent school after they were struck by a U.S.-made ballistic missile.

Between the lines: The same UN report found that Iran's crackdown on protesters likely constituted "crimes against humanity."

• The report cited tactics including "murder, imprisonment, torture and other inhumane acts" as "part of a widespread and systematic attack against civilians."

What to watch: U.S. and Iranian officials held three hours of indirect talks on the sidelines of the UN on Tuesday, with Trump calling the meeting "very productive" and suggestions a deal remains possible.

• Iran has downplayed the breakthrough, saying its negotiating position has not changed — underscoring how far apart the two sides remain even as diplomacy continues.

Go deeper: UN report: U.S. may have committed war crimes in Iran

President Trump welcomed Xi Jinping at Joint Base Andrews for the Chinese leader's state visit to Washington D.C. Wednesday evening.

Why it matters: U.S. presidents typically receive visiting foreign leaders at the White House, making Trump's airport welcome an unusual diplomatic gesture.

The latest: Trump met Xi at the foot of the stairs after the Chinese leader's jet landed at Joint Base Andrews, the U.S. military base 13 miles southeast of the White House in Maryland.

Zoom out: It's much more common for U.S. presidents to greet visiting leaders at the White House.

• In February 2025, Trump welcomed Volodymyr Zelensky at the West Wing entrance to kick off the Ukrainian leader's tense visit.
• In April of this year, King Charles III was received at the White House's South Portico.

The big picture: Presidents in recent decades have occasionally greeted visiting popes at D.C.-area airports, but airport welcomes for other foreign leaders have largely fallen out of use.

• President John F. Kennedy personally welcomed several foreign leaders at Washington-area airports in 1962, including Ivory Coast President Félix Houphouët-Boigny.
• More recently, President George W. Bush greeted Pope Benedict XVI at Andrews in 2008, and President Obama greeted Pope Francis there in 2015.

What they're saying: "President Xi hosted President Trump in China for a historic summit this summer, and President Trump is reciprocating his hospitality by welcoming the Chinese delegation for a reciprocal visit this week," White House spokesperson Anna Kelly told Axios.

• "The President will forge relationships with anyone in order to advance our national interests and make good deals for the American people."

The bottom line: Trump's tarmac greeting revived a presidential practice that has become uncommon outside visits by popes.