The United States has decided to allow a high-level Iranian delegation, including President Masoud Pezeshkian and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, to travel to New York to attend United Nations General Assembly meetings.
The US State Department said the decision reflects Washington’s obligations as the host country of the United Nations headquarters.
Visas for Pezeshkian and Araghchi
Under the decision, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, along with a limited Iranian delegation, will be able to enter New York to attend United Nations meetings.
The Iranian delegation is expected to be smaller than last year, while its members’ movements will be subject to restrictions during their stay in the United States.
Restrictions on the Iranian delegation’s movements
The US State Department confirmed that the movements of Iranian delegation members in New York will be limited.
The United States has previously restricted the movements of Iranian officials, confining them to designated areas linked to the United Nations headquarters, Iran’s mission to the organization, the residence of the Iranian ambassador and John F. Kennedy International Airport.
Restrictions on luxury purchases
The restrictions on the Iranian delegation will not be limited to movements within New York.
The US administration also announced restrictions on the purchase of luxury goods and certain other products by Iranian delegation members during their stay in the United States.
The decision comes amid tensions between Washington and Tehran
The decision comes as confrontation and tensions continue between the United States and Iran.
Diplomatic efforts are continuing alongside military and political developments in an attempt to reach arrangements that could end the confrontation between the parties.
Washington denies Mahmoud Abbas a visa
The permission for the Iranian delegation to enter New York coincides with a different US decision regarding the Palestinian leadership.
Washington refused to grant Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas a visa allowing him to travel to New York to participate in person in the General Assembly meetings.
Following the US decision, the United Nations General Assembly approved, by a vote of 152 to 3, with four countries abstaining, permission for Abbas to participate via a video message.
General Assembly prepares for high-level meetings
World leaders are preparing to travel to New York to participate in the high-level meetings of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly.
As the host country of the United Nations headquarters, the United States has obligations related to the access of representatives of states to the organization’s headquarters for its meetings.
