US grants visa to Irannian leaders to join UN Assembly
Washington, Sept. 18: The United States has approved visas for Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and other members of Iran’s core delegation to attend next week’s United Nations General Assembly in New York, despite the ongoing conflict between Washington and Tehran.
The US State Department said the decision was consistent with Washington’s obligations as the host country of the United Nations under the 1947 UN Headquarters Agreement. However, the Iranian delegation will face travel restrictions in New York and will be barred from purchasing luxury and certain other goods under US policy. The delegation will also be smaller than last year’s.
Pezeshkian is scheduled to address the General Assembly during the high-level week, while Araghchi is expected to participate in diplomatic meetings on the sidelines. The decision comes amid continuing tensions and intermittent diplomatic efforts between the two countries.
The US decision came a day after Washington announced that it would not grant visas to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and his delegation to attend the same General Assembly, creating a notable contrast in Washington’s treatment of different delegations seeking access to the UN meeting.
