US Clears Iranian Leaders for UN General Assembly
The Trump administration has approved visas for senior Iranian officials, including President Masoud Pezeshkian and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, to attend next week’s United Nations General Assembly in New York despite the continuing US-Iran conflict.
US Approves Iranian Delegation for UNGA
The US State Department said visas had been approved for Iran’s core delegation and essential staff required to participate in high-level UN meetings.
Pezeshkian and Araghchi are expected to be among those attending. The Iranian delegation will be smaller than last year and will face restrictions on travel and purchases while in the United States.
Washington said the decision was consistent with its obligations as host country of the United Nations headquarters in New York.
Approval Comes Amid US-Iran Conflict
The decision is notable because the United States and Iran remain locked in a conflict that has continued for more than six months.
Diplomatic efforts have yet to produce agreements on reopening the Strait of Hormuz or restarting negotiations over Iran’s nuclear programme.
Washington continues to impose extensive sanctions on Tehran and officially designates Iran as a state sponsor of terrorism. Regional tensions have also intensified amid attacks by Iran-backed Houthi forces on Saudi infrastructure and Red Sea shipping.
Palestinian Leaders Denied US Visas
The decision to allow the Iranian delegation came shortly after Washington denied visas to Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and other Palestinian officials seeking to attend the General Assembly.
The Palestinian Authority criticised that decision and defended its international diplomatic and legal efforts.
The contrasting visa decisions have drawn attention as world leaders prepare to gather in New York for the annual high-level UN meetings.
