Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian is preparing to travel to New York to attend the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly amid US restrictions on several members of the accompanying Iranian delegation.
The Iranian presidency said US authorities had not granted entry visas to some members of Pezeshkian’s delegation, including members of the presidential media and communications team.
Pezeshkian heads to New York
Habibollah Abbasi, director general of public relations at the Iranian presidency, said President Masoud Pezeshkian would travel to New York on Tuesday, September 22, to attend the United Nations General Assembly meetings.
Pezeshkian is scheduled to address the General Assembly on Wednesday, September 23. His agenda also includes meetings with a number of leaders and officials from countries participating in the sessions.
The Iranian president is also expected to meet with Iranians living in the United States and representatives of several research and think tank centers.
Media team denied visas
The United States allowed Pezeshkian and members of the core Iranian delegation to enter the country to attend the UN meetings, but visas were not granted to all members of the delegation.
Iran said some members of the presidential media team were among those who did not receive visas. As a result, Pezeshkian will make his New York visit without several officials responsible for media coverage.
The Iranian presidency said developments related to the president’s bilateral meetings and diplomatic agenda would be shared with the public despite the absence of members of the media team.
Additional US restrictions on Iranian delegation
The US measures are not limited to visas, as Washington is also imposing restrictions on the movements of Iranian delegation members while they are in New York.
The US State Department said the delegation would be able to participate in the UN meetings, while restricting its members’ movements between the UN headquarters, the Iranian mission, the ambassador’s residence, John F. Kennedy International Airport and certain other designated locations.
The measures also include restrictions on the purchase of certain goods and luxury products while members of the Iranian delegation are in the United States.
Attention turns to Pezeshkian’s speech
In his address to the United Nations General Assembly, Pezeshkian is expected to discuss Iran’s foreign policy, as well as regional and international developments.
The Iranian president’s diplomatic meetings on the sidelines of the New York sessions are also drawing attention amid continued tensions between Tehran and Washington.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in the region ahead of Pezeshkian’s visit to New York as part of diplomatic activities linked to the United Nations General Assembly meetings.
