US to issue visas to Iranian delegation for UN General Assembly — Cyprus Mail
The United States will allow senior Iranian officials to travel to New York for next week's session of the UN General Assembly. The US State Department said Washington would fulfill its obligations as the host country of the UN headquarters and allow the core members of the Iranian delegation to participate.
As Cyprus Mail reports, citing Reuters, visas are to be issued, in particular, to Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. This was confirmed by a source familiar with the US authorities' decision.
Restrictions on the delegation
A State Department spokesperson said the Iranian delegation would be subject to travel restrictions. Its members will also be barred from purchasing luxury items and other goods in accordance with US policy. According to the spokesperson, the delegation will be smaller this year than last year.
In previous years, the United States restricted the movements of Iranian representatives to the route between UN headquarters, Iran's mission to the UN, the Iranian ambassador's residence, and John F. Kennedy Airport in New York. Iran's Foreign Ministry did not immediately comment to Reuters.
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UN host country obligations
Under the 1947 UN Headquarters Agreement, the United States is generally obliged to provide foreign diplomats with access to the United Nations. At the same time, Washington says it can deny visas on security, counterterrorism, or foreign policy grounds.
The administration of US President Donald Trump is also holding periodic talks with Iran's leadership on ending the war which, according to Reuters, began on February 28 after a US and Israeli attack on Iran. Tehran responded by striking Israel and the Persian Gulf countries where US bases are located.
On the eve, the United States said it would not allow Palestinian officials to attend the UN meeting, extending a ban that has been in effect since last year. A Palestinian official told Reuters that Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas had also not received a visa.
